Apply Now: Kwame Karikari Fact-Checking and OSINT Fellowship 2026 Open
Applications are now open for the Kwame Karikari Fact-checking and OSINT Fellowship 2026, with a deadline of April 4, 2026. The Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), through its fact-checking project DUBAWA, runs this program. It offers a chance for journalists in West Africa to fight the fast spread of misinformation. This article covers the benefits, who can apply, and how to submit an application.
The fellowship draws inspiration from the need to stop mis- and disinformation. It aims to spread verified facts to rural and urban areas. The goal includes building a global culture of fact-checking and growing knowledge about information problems in Africa. Named after Professor Kwame Karikari, a strong advocate for media freedom and founder of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), this is the third edition. It features two paths: a six-month fellowship for journalists to add fact-checking to their work, and another for scholars to do original research on the topic.
Fellows will gain several key advantages from the program.
- Practical OSINT training: Fellows get hands-on coaching in fact-checking with open-source intelligence. DUBAWA and DAIDAC teams provide guidance and teach the latest tools and methods.
- Real-world impact: Reports get published on your media outlet and DUBAWA’s channels. This boosts reach and helps fight misinformation.
- Newsroom capacity building: Support comes to set up a fact-checking desk and improve verification in your workplace.
- Regional professional network: Join a community of journalists focused on accuracy across West Africa.
- Multi-platform visibility: Lead talks on fact-checking via social media, radio, and TV. Promote media literacy to your audience.
Certain people qualify for the fellowship.
- Full-time journalists from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, or The Gambia.
- Fact-checkers or investigative journalists ready to build skills.
- Past fellows interested in OSINT investigations.
- Strong writers passionate about truth.
- People eager to learn and grow in fact-checking.
- Journalists who can commit time and have boss approval to publish fact-checks.
- Female journalists and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Experts in climate or conflict reporting are welcome.
Journalists who meet these standards should apply soon. Use the online Google Form to submit. For more details, check the fellowship information page. Applications close on April 4, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Kwame Karikari Fellowship?
Full-time journalists, fact-checkers, and investigative reporters from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, or The Gambia qualify, especially women, those with disabilities, and experts in climate or conflict reporting.
What benefits do fellows receive?
Fellows get practical OSINT training, publish reports on major platforms, build newsroom fact-checking desks, join a regional network, and gain visibility through media talks.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
Use the online Google Form linked in the article and check the fellowship page for details; ensure you have boss approval and can commit time.
When is the application deadline?
Applications close on April 4, 2026, so submit soon to meet the deadline.