Kim Wall Memorial Fund 2027: $5,000 Journalism Grants for Women

Scholarship Details

Introduction

Applications are open for the 2027 Kim Wall Memorial Fund, an initiative of the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) that provides US$5,000 grants to journalists whose work reflects the spirit of Kim Wall’s reporting.

The fund supports women and nonbinary reporters covering subculture, broadly defined, and what Kim described as “the undercurrents of rebellion.” It aims to encourage more women to explore the world, engage with different communities and report stories that are often overlooked.

The opportunity is open to eligible journalists from anywhere in the world, including staff and freelance reporters.

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About the Kim Wall Memorial Fund

The Kim Wall Memorial Fund honours the legacy of Swedish journalist Kim Wall and her distinctive approach to reporting on subcultures and underreported communities around the world.

The fund seeks to support journalists who pursue important, unconventional and overlooked stories, continuing the curiosity and adventurous spirit that characterised Kim’s work.

The programme is administered by the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF).

Grant Benefits

Selected journalists will receive a US$5,000 reporting grant to support the costs of carrying out their reporting projects.

The grant can cover reporting-related expenses, including:

• Travel costs.
• Reporting logistics.
• Insurance.
• Visa fees.
• Professional stipends.
• Payments for producers.
• Payments for translators.
• Other relevant reporting-related costs.

Applicants may also allocate part of their proposed budget to a reporting partner, such as a photographer or producer.

Funding restrictions: The IWMF does not cover the purchase or rental of equipment. The fund also does not support academic research or research intended for academic publication.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Gender: Applicants must be women or nonbinary journalists. The IWMF also welcomes gender non-conforming journalists and recognises that gender does not conform to one single notion.
2. Nationality: The opportunity is open to journalists from anywhere in the world.
3. Professional experience: Applicants must have at least one year of professional experience working in news media. Internships do not count towards the required experience.
4. Employment status: Both staff and freelance journalists are eligible.
5. English-language skills: Applicants must have excellent written and verbal English skills to participate fully in and benefit from the programme.
6. Editorial interest or publication record: Applicants must provide proof of interest from an editor or demonstrate a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets.

Although applicants must have strong English skills, their reporting projects may be published in any language.

Application Conditions and Restrictions

• Applications are accepted from individual journalists only, not groups or organisations.
• Applicants may include reporting partners, such as photographers or producers, in their proposed budgets.
• The grant is intended for journalism and reporting-related expenses.
• Equipment purchase and rental costs are not covered.
• Academic research and research intended for academic publication are not supported.
• The IWMF cannot consider time-sensitive proposals.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed reporting projects fit the fund’s focus on subculture and underreported stories.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online through Submittable.

Interested journalists should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official Kim Wall Memorial Fund 2027 application page.
2. Read the programme requirements and confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Prepare your reporting proposal and proposed budget.
4. Provide evidence of interest from an editor or a proven record of publication in prominent media outlets.
5. Complete the online application form through Submittable.
6. Review your submission and submit it before the deadline.

For application tips, applicants can consult the IWMF’s official website.

Application Timeline and Selection

The application period runs from 4 November to 6 December 2026.

Applications will be reviewed in January and February 2027. Applicants will receive a response no later than mid-March 2027.

Successful grantees will be publicly announced on 23 March 2027, Kim Wall’s birthday.

The IWMF cannot consider time-sensitive proposals, so applicants should ensure that their proposed reporting projects can accommodate this review and notification schedule.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Kim Wall Memorial Fund 2027 is:

6 December 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Applications must be submitted through Submittable before the deadline.

Contact and Enquiries

For questions or accessibility and connectivity issues with the application process, contact the programme coordinator:

Rachael Smith

Email: rsmith@iwmf.org

Conclusion

The Kim Wall Memorial Fund 2027 offers US$5,000 in reporting support to eligible women and nonbinary journalists worldwide. It is designed to help journalists pursue stories about subcultures, unconventional communities and underreported issues.

Staff and freelance journalists with at least one year of professional news media experience are eligible to apply. Applicants should review the funding restrictions and prepare their proposals before submitting.