Center for Media Research–Nepal (CMR-Nepal) invites applications from journalists, content creators or interested two-member teams (one journalist and one content creator) to join the Investigating Together Fellowship 2026, a unique collaborative fellowship designed to strengthen public-interest investigations through cross-platform storytelling and mutual learning.
The fellowship will bring together 14 fellows – 7 journalists and 7 content creators – who will be paired based on their areas of interest and investigative proposals. Each pair will work on a common investigation while producing separate stories tailored to their respective platforms, audiences, and storytelling formats.
About the Fellowship
Investigating Together seeks to bridge the growing divide between traditional journalism and digital content creation by fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange and innovative approaches to accountability reporting. The fellowship focuses on investigations related to:
- Corruption and abuse of power
- Political and campaign financing
- Public spending and procurement
- Illicit financial flows
- Influence networks and money in politics
- Other public-interest issues involving the flow of money and accountability
Through this fellowship, journalists and content creators will have the opportunity to learn from one another’s skills, methodologies, and audiences while working together on evidence-based investigations that contribute to public understanding and democratic accountability.
Fellowship Structure
The fellowship consists of three phases:
1. Residential Orientation and Networking Program
Selected fellows will participate in a five-day residential orientation and networking workshop. The orientation will cover investigative techniques, financial investigation methods, open-source intelligence (OSINT), data gathering and verification, digital security, legal and ethical considerations, and storytelling across different media platforms. The fellows will also share their expertise, expereince and knowledge. The program will also provide opportunities for fellows to build professional networks and develop collaborative working relationships.
2. Three-Month Investigation Period
Following the orientation, fellows will undertake a three-month investigative project. Journalist–creator pairs will jointly research and investigate a selected topic, sharing information, sources, and findings throughout the process.
While the investigation will be conducted collaboratively, each fellow will retain editorial independence to develop stories suitable for their own platform and audience. For example, a journalist may produce an investigative article, documentary, or multimedia report, while a content creator may develop video explainers, digital storytelling products, podcasts, or other audience-focused content based on the same investigation.
3. Mentorship
Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will receive continuous support from experienced editors, investigators, and legal experts. Mentorship sessions will help fellows strengthen reporting methodologies, improve storytelling approaches, and address legal, ethical, and safety considerations associated with investigative work.
Fellowship Benefits
Each selected fellow will receive:
- Honorarium of NPR 150,000
- Participation in a five-day residential orientation and networking program
- Editorial mentorship from experienced investigative journalists and editors
- Legal guidance and support related to investigative reporting
- Access to peer-learning and collaboration opportunities
- Networking with journalists, content creators, researchers and accountability advocates
- Support in developing and publishing high-quality public-interest investigations
Collaborative Approach
The fellowship is built on the principle that journalists and content creators can complement one another’s strengths. Each investigation will be undertaken by a pair consisting of one journalist and one content creator. Fellows will collaborate in researching, documenting, and analyzing their chosen topic while producing separate outputs for their respective platforms.
This approach allows investigations to reach wider and more diverse audiences through different formats, while also creating opportunities for participants to learn new reporting, storytelling, and audience-engagement techniques.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to:
- Journalists working in print, broadcast, online, or multimedia platforms
- Independent journalists and freelance reporters
- Digital content creators, video creators, podcasters, and social media storytellers
- Individuals applying independently
- Existing journalist–creator teams wishing to apply together
Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in public-interest investigations, accountability reporting, and collaborative storytelling.
Expected Outputs
By the end of the fellowship, each pair will complete a joint investigation and publish or distribute separate stories through their respective platforms. Fellows are expected to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, transparency and ethical reporting throughout the fellowship period.
CMR-Nepal encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and regions of Nepal and welcomes innovative ideas that can strengthen investigative journalism and public accountability. Priority will be given to women and members of marginalised communities, and applicants who have had limited opportunities in the past.
This fellowship is supported by the Naitonal Endowment for Democracy (NED).
Any questions, email to cmrnepal@butmedia.org. Apply here.
