These can be for six months (paying $20,000) or 12 months (paying $40,000) for in-depth written reporting. “Reporting projects must be for print/online publication (i.e., written projects), and they must be U.S. focused. Fellows aren’t required to live in the U.S., but the reporting project must be focused on the U.S., for publication in U.S. outlets.
Reporting projects should be in-depth and investigative in nature, and can cover any topic of public interest.” They also say, “Freelancers are strongly encouraged to apply for the fellowship. Applicants who are on staff full-time at media outlets may apply, if they intend to take a leave from their job for the fellowship.”
Value: $20,000-40,000
Deadline: 1 October 2026
Open for: Journalists writing for US publications
Details here – see the relevant category
(They have other opportunities listed as well.)
 

WRITERS IN THE UK/IRELAND

Penguin UK: Merkey Books New Writers’ Prize
This is an annual prize, and is open to young (ages 18-35), underrepresented and unpublished writers from across the UK and Ireland. Writers also have to be unagented. It is for a work of literary and commercial fiction (for a completed manuscript or a manuscript in progress – see FAQ); send a synopsis of 200 words and an excerpt of 1,500 words. The winner receives a publishing contract with Merkey Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House UK, which also includes an advance. And, shortlisted writers will also be invited to their Writers’ Camp. Submission is via a form (which also lists the genres they are accepting).
Value: Publishing contract (includes advance)
Deadline: 24 August 2026
Open for: Underrepresented, unpublished writers in UK/Ireland (ages 18-35)
Details here.

Climate Playwriting Prize
This is an award for a full-length play (70 minutes or longer) by a UK-based playwright on the climate crisis. “We are looking for the best plays that engage meaningfully with the climate crisis.
For this prize, ‘climate’ is defined expansively: it includes the natural world and environmental change, but also the social, political, and cultural conditions connected to it. We are open to all approaches to this subject matter: the climate should be an important dramaturgical element of the play, with an impact on character and/or plot, but it doesn’t need to be the only theme. We are particularly interested in plays that go beyond explaining the problem, to explore what responding to the crisis means for us as people.” They also say, “Although the Globe is leading the prize, we encourage playwrights to develop scripts without a specific stage in mind – the prize producers will support the onward journey of the play to the most appropriate home.” And, “The Globe will option the winning play for production, with an aspiration to produce. Alternatively the award producers will support the writer to find a suitable home for the play.” Longlisted writers will receive short written feedback. Shortlisted writers will receive feedback in person. 
Value: £15,000
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Open for: UK-based playwrights
Details here.

People’s Theatre: People’s Play Award
This is for playwrights in the North of England who are yet to have a full-length play performed professionally. “One winning script will be chosen for a five-night production by the People’s Theatre in May 2027 in their Studio Theatre, and the writer will receive a cash prize of £1,000.” Send a full-length script with running time of at least 60 minutes, or at least 9,000 words (see guidelines).
Value: £1,000, production
Deadline: 12th September 2026
Open for: Debut playwrights living in the North of England
Details here.

Bio: S. Kalekar is the pseudonym of a regular contributor to this magazine. She can be reached here.

Deadline: October 1st, 2026