A Premier Opportunity for Tech Policy Journalism in the UK
As technology reshapes economies, geopolitical relationships, public policy, and daily life, the need for rigorous, public-interest reporting has never been greater. To advance this mission, openDemocracy, in collaboration with Tech Policy Press, is offering a 12-month, UK-based Tech Reporting Fellowship designed for emerging and mid-career professionals who want to investigate and analyze the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and democracy.
This highly competitive paid journalism fellowship provides the selected candidate with a year-long placement inside openDemocracy’s UK bureau, access to mentorship from Tech Policy Press editors across Europe and the United States, and a platform that ensures their work reaches broad and influential audiences. The fellowship is ideal for journalists, researchers, lawyers, technologists, and public policy experts who want to report deeply on the intersection of technology, democracy, governance, media, and AI.
Eligibility Criteria
The Tech Reporting Fellowship is open to individuals who meet the following requirements:
1. Professional Background
Eligible applicants include:
- Journalists (preference given)
- Researchers
- Technologists
- Lawyers
- Public policy professionals
- Individuals transitioning into journalism with strong interest in tech policy
2. Demonstrated Interest
Applicants must show clear interest or experience in:
- Journalism
- Technology policy
- Media
- AI
- Democracy and governance
- Related public-interest areas
3. Location & Work Authorization
- This is a UK-based fellowship.
- Applicants must be eligible to live and work in the United Kingdom for the entire 12-month duration.
- openDemocracy does not provide visa sponsorship or work visa support.
4. London Proximity
While not required:
- London-based or London-proximate candidates are preferred, due to easier access to meetings, editorial collaboration, and source development.
- Candidates living outside London must explain how they plan to manage location-related logistics in their cover letter.
Program Details
Fellowship Duration
- 12 months
- Start date: 1 March 2026
- End date: March 2027
Stipend
- £30,000 per annum, paid monthly.
Structure & Responsibilities
The fellowship includes mentorship, newsroom integration, and regular publication requirements:
Core Responsibilities
The selected fellow will:
- Produce at least one piece of reported analysis and one fully reported feature per month.
- Respond to breaking news and contribute to timely reporting when needed.
- Participate in podcast appearances, media interviews, and other promotional opportunities.
- Develop and publish at least one long-term investigative project during the fellowship.
- Attend editorial meetings and meet all assigned deadlines.
Editorial Support
- Embedded within openDemocracy’s UK bureau
- Mentorship from Tech Policy Press editors in Europe and the US
- Articles published on both platforms to ensure global reach
How to Apply
Applicants must submit all required materials via email to:
Required Application Materials
- Three to five recent clips of your published work
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining:
- Your approach to reporting at the intersection of democracy and technology in the UK
- Your motivations and relevant experience
- A short memo including:
- One to three feature pitches you would pursue in your first months
- A broad concept for a long-term investigation
- A recent CV or résumé
- Three professional references
Important Notes
- There is no application portal; applications are accepted by email only.
- This is a UK-based fellowship requiring work authorization; no visa support is provided.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: Rolling — Final closing date: 10 January 2026
- Applicant Notification: By 30 January 2026
- Fellowship Start Date: 1 March 2026
- Fellowship Duration: 12 months
Useful Links
- Official announcement: Here
- Application Email: Mail address
A Key Opportunity for Public-Interest Tech Journalism
The openDemocracy & Tech Policy Press Tech Reporting Fellowship is a significant paid opportunity for professionals eager to investigate how technology shapes democracy, governance, media, and society in the United Kingdom. With strong editorial mentorship, global publishing platforms, and a year of fully supported investigative work, the fellowship equips emerging journalists and policy thinkers to contribute high-impact reporting at a critical moment in technological change.
This fellowship is an excellent opportunity for UK-based journalists, researchers, and technologists committed to public-interest storytelling and the future of democratic oversight in the tech sector.
