Are you a young journalist passionate about making a difference through your reporting? If so, the 2025 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award could be your opportunity to gain international recognition for your work.

This significant award, now in its 13th year, is organized in partnership with the UK Foreign Press Association (FPA). It aims to highlight the talents of journalists aged 30 or under and provide a platform for their voices to be heard globally. Applicants can submit a portfolio of their best work, demonstrating their skills and community impact.

By participating in this competition, you join a legacy of outstanding young journalists who have used their platforms to bring important stories to light. It is not just an award; it’s a chance to amplify your work and contribute to the global conversation on pressing issues.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: 1 August 2025, Midnight (London time)
• Funding Type: Award
• Organizer: Thomson Foundation in partnership with the UK Foreign Press Association (FPA)
• Eligible Countries: Developing countries with a Gross National Income (GNI) per capita of less than US$20,000
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Young journalists aged 30 or under
• Focus Area: Journalism (print, audio, video, multimedia)
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: United Kingdom

Benefits and Financial Aids

The Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award offers several key benefits:

• Recognition: Gain international recognition for your work and elevate your profile within the journalism community.
• Exposure: Your work will be showcased to a global audience, potentially opening up new career opportunities.
• Networking: Connect with other young journalists and industry professionals through the UK Foreign Press Association (FPA).

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the 2024 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Entrants must be 30 years old or under as of 24 November 2025.
• Entrants must be from a country with a GNI per capita of less than US$20,000 and reporting from/in that country, or if not in their country of origin, in another country fitting the same GNI criteria.
• All entrants must submit a portfolio of three published or broadcast works produced in the 12 months preceding 1 August 2025. The piece can be in any format, including print, audio, video, multimedia, or a combination thereof.
• Entries can be in any language but should include an exact English-language translation.
• Entries must also include a verification letter from the applicant’s current editor, on the company’s headed notepaper.

Required Documents

Applicants need to submit the following documents:

• Portfolio: Three published or broadcast pieces of work produced in the past 12 months.
• Summary Statements: A written statement of no more than 200 words per story summarizing the content and its impact
• Verification Letter: A letter from the applicant’s current editor verifying the authenticity of the work
• Translation: Verbatim English translations of the entries if they are in another language.
• Collaboration Explanation: Explanation of any collaboration undertaken on the stories.

How to Apply?

To apply for the 2025 Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award:

1. Prepare Your Portfolio: Compile three pieces of your published or broadcast work from the past 12 months.
2. Write Summaries: Draft a 200-word summary for each piece, explaining its content and impact.
3. Get Verification: Obtain a verification letter from your current editor.
4. Translate Your Work: Provide exact translations if your work is not in English.
5. Submit Online: Complete the online entry form on the Thomson Foundation website linked below, including all required documents.
6. Email Verification Letter: Send your verification letter via email to awardfpa@thomsonfoundation.org with your name in the subject line.

Apply Now

Visit the Thomson Foundation Young Journalist Award website for more information and to start your application. For queries, contact awardfpa@thomsonfoundation.org.

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