Unmasking the Merchants of Doubt: Heinrich Böll Foundation Launches Third Climate Disinformation Media Fellowship
The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC, in collaboration with its European Union counterpart, is issuing a call to arms for journalists, researchers, and storytellers to combat the insidious spread of climate disinformation. Applications are now open for the third round of their Climate Disinformation Media Fellowship, a crucial initiative designed to expose the networks, platforms, and individuals perpetuating false narratives about climate change. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity for selected fellows to delve deep into this critical issue, providing them with financial support, editorial guidance, and a platform to share their findings with a global audience. The deadline to apply is September 9, 2025.
Climate change, the defining crisis of our time, is facing a formidable foe: climate disinformation. This deliberate distortion of scientific facts, discrediting of policy responses, and erosion of public trust poses a significant barrier to effective climate action. Often orchestrated by vested interests, including fossil fuel companies and certain political actors, these disinformation campaigns aim to delay crucial climate policies and perpetuate a cycle of inaction. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting not only policy decisions but also exacerbating real-world harm, hindering disaster response efforts, and fueling harassment against climate scientists and advocates. The fellowship seeks to counter this dangerous trend by supporting in-depth investigations into the origins, spread, and impact of climate disinformation.
The Climate Disinformation Media Fellowship is structured as a short-term, remote program, offering a $2,000 USD stipend to support research and reporting. Fellows retain full ownership of their work, which will be published under a Creative Commons (CC-BY) license, maximizing reach and impact. The Foundation provides editorial guidance to help refine the fellows’ stories, ensuring high-quality output. Furthermore, the fellowship provides a platform for dissemination, leveraging the Foundation’s websites and social media channels to amplify the fellows’ findings. A valuable training opportunity with climate and disinformation experts is scheduled for early October, providing fellows with cutting-edge knowledge and insights. The fellowship also fosters collaboration and networking among a select cohort of fellows, creating a supportive environment for knowledge sharing and mutual learning.
Eligibility for the fellowship is open to individuals residing in Canada, the United States, or their territories. Applicants must demonstrate a strong track record in reporting on climate, democracy, or disinformation, exhibiting a clear interest in the intersection of these critical areas. They must also commit to the fellowship timeline and deliver at least one final journalistic piece, which could be a written article, video/audio documentary, or research feature. The Foundation particularly encourages applications from underrepresented voices, including journalists of color, Indigenous media practitioners, and members of marginalized communities disproportionately affected by climate change or disinformation. This focus aims to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the forefront of the fight against climate disinformation.
Throughout the fellowship period, which runs from mid-September to early December 2025, fellows will be expected to produce at least one final piece of journalism. If the original work is not in English, an English-language summary must be provided. Fellows are also required to develop a publication plan outlining their timeline, target audience, and chosen platforms/media outlets. Active engagement on social media is encouraged, with fellows sharing insights and documenting their process using platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Bluesky, Facebook, or Mastodon, in coordination with the Foundation’s communication strategy. This multi-faceted approach ensures widespread dissemination of the fellows’ findings to diverse audiences.
The application process involves submitting materials via BambooHR. Applicants need to prepare a CV (maximum two pages, standard format without personal details like photo, date of birth, religion, or marital status), a one-page pitch document outlining their qualifications, proposed investigation, and its significance, and two work samples (with English summaries if not originally in English). The pitch document should clearly articulate the story or case to be explored, its importance, and potential insights into climate disinformation networks or solutions. Further inquiries can be directed to Brendan O’Donnell at [email protected]. Examples of past fellowship projects are available on the Foundation’s website, providing inspiration for potential applicants. The Heinrich Böll Foundation invites journalists and media professionals to join this important initiative, using their reporting skills to expose the truth about climate disinformation and contribute to a more informed and sustainable future.