About the Journalist Awards

Applications for the 2027 Tenacious Journalist Awards will open on 29th October

Changing Ideas and the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) are delighted to announce a new round of the Tenacious Journalists Awards for 2027. 

These awards aim to support UK journalists and small news organisations to have a positive social impact.

Award winners will receive a wraparound package of support and funding to help their projects fly: 

  • Membership of a dedicated and supportive peer-learning group, meeting monthly from January to September 2027;

  • An exclusive workshop on planning for impact and the chance to work with a specialist Impact Editor through the projects; and

  • A £12,000 grant.

We want our funding to be used to bring to light important stories which would otherwise not be reported and hope to trigger journalism which has the widest and deepest impact.

Why independent news matters

PINF believes everyone should benefit from journalism that resonates with them. Independent news providers and freelance journalists often fill gaps left by mainstream media, giving a voice to underrepresented groups, holding authorities accountable, and fact-checking political claims. These awards will recognise journalism that drives meaningful change at individual, community, or institutional levels and drive social change.

  • Recipients of the Tenacious Journalist Awards will receive:

    • A grant of £12,000 to enhance public interest journalism;

    • Membership of a dedicated peer-learning and support group, meeting monthly to help each other work through challenges;

    • A workshop on maximising impact at the beginning of their project, and the chance to access additional support from an Impact Editor along the way;

    • Access to networks including Law for Change, Tenacious Campaigners and the wider Changing Ideas network; and,

    • Public recognition as a Tenacious Journalist.

  • Applicants must:

    • Be an individual journalist or independent news organisation with a turnover below £2m and no commercial or political affiliations.

    • Be UK-based.

    • Focus primarily on public interest news - that is ethical and impartial journalism that informs and empowers the public.

    • Join in the monthly peer-support calls from January through September 2027.

    • Join an impact workshop at the beginning of the project and be willing to work with an Impact Editor to boost the positive impact of their work.

    • Be seeking support to highlight a social issue and achieve change.

  • We anticipate a strong and extensive field of applicants for these awards.

    Applicants should aim to show: 

    • A history of high-quality, ethical journalism.

    • A proven record of positive social impact in the UK.

    • A clear plan for using the award to highlight a social issue and achieve change through public interest journalism.

    • Evidence of work already underway on the project. 

    • Evidence of interest from an outlet to host the results of the work.

  • Applications should be received before 5pm, 23 November, 2026. 

    Judging will take place during the remainder of 2026. We may arrange phone calls with applicants if we have follow up questions. Judges will include representatives of Changing Ideas, PINF, an experienced campaigner, experienced journalist, and an impact editor.

    We expect the winners to be announced in early 2027.

  • Applications are welcome from both freelance journalists and all types of independent news media, including print, digital, audio, and video.

    Whether you publish via a website, community radio, or social media platforms like Substack or Instagram, you can apply if your work aligns with PINF's definition of public interest news.

  • The application form will be launched on 29 October, 2026.

    Be concise and provide relevant links or evidence to support your application.

    For any questions, contact us at journalists@tenaciousawards.org.