Gender + AI Reporting Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded for Kenyan Women Journalists

Are you a woman journalist in Kenya interested in how artificial intelligence affects women’s lives? The Gender + AI Reporting Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded chance to explore this topic. Organized by the Africa Women Journalism Project with DW Akademie, this program helps you build skills and create stories on AI’s role in areas like health, education, and governance.

About the Gender + AI Reporting Fellowship

This fellowship follows the success of its first group, where women journalists shared strong stories on technology and gender. The 2026 edition will pick 10 women journalists who love investigative work and want to study AI’s effects on society. You will get practical training, guidance from experts, and tools to make high-quality reports.

Fellowship Duration and Structure

The program runs from April to September 2026, a total of six months. It breaks into clear phases to help you grow step by step.

Training Phase

Online sessions teach key skills like AI basics for reporters, gender-aware reporting, and checking AI’s social effects. You will learn about ethics in AI use, data, algorithms, and digital systems. Experts from AWJP, DW Akademie, and others lead these workshops.

Mentorship Phase

You get personal help from top editors and journalists. They guide story ideas, give feedback, and support you through reporting and writing.

Story Production Phase

Produce four original stories on how AI touches women and overlooked groups. Cover topics such as governance, finance, education, health, or climate. Use AI tools to improve your work. The goal is 40 stories in Kenyan media overall.

Showcase and Networking Phase

End with a public event to share your stories. Connect with media groups and editors for future chances.

What the Fellowship Offers

Fellows receive full support to succeed. This includes small grants for story costs, AI tools for reporting, expert editing help, data and visual aids, plus networking events.

Eligibility Criteria

You must be a woman journalist living in Kenya, working in print, radio, TV, or online media. Freelancers qualify too. Need a laptop, steady internet, interest in gender or tech topics, and a signed note from a newsroom promising to publish your work. Preference goes to those from Nyanza, Western, Rift Valley (like Turkana), Central, or Coastal areas.

Application Requirements

Submit these items:

1. CV, no more than two pages.
2. Three examples of your published stories.
3. Four story ideas, up to 800 words total.
4. A 500-word note on why you want to join.
5. Signed letter from a media outlet.

Selection Criteria

Judges look at your story ideas’ freshness, your reporting background, your drive, and passion for gender-tech topics. They value variety in regions and media types. Shortlisted people may do a video call interview.

Application Timeline

Apply by April 15, 2026. Send early for better odds.

How to Apply

Use the online form at this link and upload your files. Questions? Email [email protected].

About the Organizers

The Africa Women Journalism Project trains and funds women reporters in Africa for gender-focused stories. DW Akademie, from Deutsche Welle, works worldwide to boost free press and strong journalism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need AI experience?
No, training covers the basics.

Can freelancers join?
Yes.

How many spots?
10 women journalists.

Is it fully funded?
Yes, with grants, tools, and mentorship.

What do I produce?
Four stories each.

All online?
Yes for training and guidance.

Need newsroom letter?
Yes, signed.

Story topics?
AI in governance, health, education, finance, climate, and similar.

Networking?
Yes, with a showcase.

Who runs it?
AWJP and DW Akademie.

Frequently Asked Questions