The Communication and Journalism Educators’ Network (CJEN) Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University, has announced an open call for journalism schools and departments in Bangladesh to participate in a new initiative titled “Investigative Journalism for Female Students.” The application deadline is 25 March 2026.
The initiative is part of the global AGILE Project, an EU-funded program that aims to strengthen journalism education and practice worldwide. Through AGILE, Fojo Media Institute is supporting journalism education initiatives in 13 countries, including Bangladesh.
Strengthening Investigative Journalism Skills
The project seeks to enhance the capacity of female journalism students to produce impactful investigative stories. It will support the co-design and implementation of an extracurricular course on investigative journalism, tailored to local contexts and developed in collaboration with journalism schools across six countries.
In Bangladesh, three universities will be selected to participate in the program. Each selected university will receive a grant of USD 2,400 to support the development and delivery of the course and a student investigative publishing project.
Course Development and Implementation
The project will follow a collaborative model involving educators and media professionals.
April–May 2026:
One journalism educator from each selected university will participate in two meetings to co-design the course with international partners. The course will integrate academic instruction, industry insights, and practical investigative tools. These meetings will be organized and funded by Fojo.
July–September 2026:
The course will be implemented at each participating university through six sessions of two hours each, either as an extracurricular module or integrated into existing coursework.
Student Investigative Publishing Project
Following the course, each university will select six female students to participate in a publishing project. Working in pairs, students will conduct an investigative reporting project aimed at publication in a student or professional media outlet.
The students will receive mentorship from media industry professionals to guide them through the investigative process.
Funding Support
Each participating university will receive USD 2,400, allocated as follows:
- USD 1,000 – Course implementation (staff time and administration)
- USD 900 – Student stipends
- USD 500 – Mentor fees
In addition, Fojo Media Institute will support the project through facilitation of the course co-design process, guest lectures, logistics, and opportunities for continued learning and course development.
Expectations from Participating Universities
Selected universities will be expected to:
- Actively participate in the collaborative course development process
- Implement the course at their institution
- Provide feedback on the co-design process
- Submit narrative and financial reports
- Select participating students, administer stipends, and coordinate with mentors
Eligibility
Applications are invited from Media, Communication, or Journalism schools or departments at accredited Bangladeshi universities that demonstrate:
- A commitment to gender-inclusive journalism education
- Experience in curriculum development
- Capacity to manage small international grants and reporting
How to Apply
Interested institutions should submit their application through the online form:
Open Call: Extracurricular Course on Investigative Journalism in Bangladesh
Applicants must also submit:
- The latest CV of the participating educator
- An endorsement letter from the department head, dean, registrar, pro vice chancellor, or vice chancellor
The application deadline is 25 March 2026. Applications will be jointly assessed by Fojo Media Institute and CJEN Bangladesh.
For inquiries about the application process, please contact Jude Genilo, Chair of the CJEN Executive Committee and Pro Vice Chancellor at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, at jude.genilo@ulab.edu.bd.
Fojo Media Institute and CJEN Bangladesh look forward to working with journalism educators across the country to strengthen investigative journalism training and empower the next generation of female journalists in Bangladesh.
Learn more about the AGILE project here:
https://fojo.se/en/projects/agile/
