TRAVEL STIPENDS
The Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is proud to offer travel stipends to help reduce financial barriers for SEJ members in need to attend our 35th Annual Conference in Chicago, hosted by University of Illinois Chicago.
Funding for this stipend is limited. Award amounts will be determined based on the total number of applicants and demonstrated financial need. To support as many journalists as possible in attending #SEJ2026, we encourage applicants to explore and utilize other available resources (e.g., workplace professional development funds, student conference support, etc.).
Please note: Award recipients will be provided a discount code for registration and (if applicable) additional funding will be awarded as a reimbursement after the conference. The number of awards and amount will depend on the number of applicants and available budget.
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Registration: Early Bird registration at the SEJ member rate
Additional Funds: Can be applied towards lodging, travel and other conference expenses
Award recipients who register past the Early Bird deadline (February 14) are responsible for the fee difference in Regular or Late Registration.
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Applicants must be an SEJ member in good standing at the time of submission to be eligible for a travel stipend. If your membership status is graced or lapsed, please renew to qualify for the member discount.
Priority will be given to applicants who are:
Freelancers
Students
From low- or middle-income countries in the Global South
Members of affinity organizations listed below, and those whose experiences and identities are often underrepresented in professional settings
We welcome applications from those who received past SEJ financial assistance (fellowship, travel stipend or speaker support). Applicants who have not received support from 2023 to 2025 will be prioritized.
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Stipend Application Opens: December 19, 2025
Stipend Application Closes: January 30, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT
Stipend Recipients Notified: February 7, 2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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This stipend is open to members of SEJ in good standing at the time of submission.
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Award amounts vary, based on:
Number of applicants
Requested area(s) of support
Demonstrated financial need
The maximum award amounts include:
Registration: Early Bird SEJ member rate
Additional Funds: In the amounts of $250, $500 or $750 via reimbursement.
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Recipients will receive a discount code to cover the cost of an Early Bird member registration ($295) as part of their award notice to be sent on February 7. They will have until February 14 (deadline for Early Bird registration rate) to apply their code for the full discount. While codes will be active after February 14, recipients are responsible for the difference for Regular or Late Registration fee. If awarded additional funds, recipients may submit for reimbursement starting April 20, 2026, following the conference.
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Conference registration, Early Bird fee for SEJ members and other expenses associated with conference attendance.
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Yes, you must be an SEJ member in good standing to apply. If your membership status is graced or lapsed, please renew to qualify for the member discount.
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Yes, student journalists who are SEJ members in good standing can apply.
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Yes, you can apply even if you’ve received a stipend in previous years. Applicants who have not received support (fellowship, travel stipend or speaker support) from 2023 to 2025 will be prioritized.
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After reviewing details about the application process, submit your application via the Google Form.
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Stipend applications must be submitted by January 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT. While the form may be live, submissions after January 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PT will not be considered.
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Priority is given to applicants who are freelancers, students, traveling from low- or middle-income countries in the Global South and those whose experiences and identities that are often underrepresented in professional settings, like industry conferences. Additionally, applicants who have not received support from 2023 to 2025 will be prioritized.
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Yes, SEJ members not affiliated with a listed affinity organization can still apply. SEJ members who are also members of a listed affinity organization will be prioritized.
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Notification will be sent February 7, 2026.
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Yes, to be eligible for reimbursement, you must register for a full conference pass.
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If your plans change, please notify SEJ as soon as possible so that we can adjust funding allocations. If you cancel, your stipend may be reallocated to another applicant by the SEJ conference team.