LCC–CBA Journalism Fellowship Offers a CAD$40,000 Reporting Stipend

The LCC–CBA Journalism Fellowship provides a CAD$40,000 stipend for a year of original reporting on law and justice.

What the selected journalist will produce

The 2027 fellowship supports four original, substantial articles exploring underreported legal and justice issues affecting people in Canada. Articles are published quarterly. The stipend is paid quarterly following submission of each completed article.

Who can apply for the LCC–CBA Journalism Fellowship?

Applicants must be based in Canada and have at least five years of full-time journalism experience. They should demonstrate an ability to produce thorough reporting and an interest in improving public understanding of the justice system.

Application documents

Submit a CV, up to three work samples, two reference letters and a project proposal of no more than 750 words. The proposal should explain the public relevance of the work, information sources and publication/distribution plans. An interested editor’s letter is viewed favourably.

Deadline and application channel

Email the application to comms@lcc-cdc.gc.ca by 4 December 2026. The call does not state a closing time or timezone. The selected journalist is expected to be notified in January 2027.

Choose a legal issue readers can understand

An effective reporting proposal should explain the public question, not simply name a statute or court. Identify whose experience you intend to examine and how the project will help readers understand the relationship between legal rules and everyday life. Distinguish reporting from campaigning: the evidence should be allowed to challenge the initial assumption.

Develop a coherent series

Plan how the proposed articles connect without repeating one another. One might establish the problem while another tests how a legal process operates in practice. Consider what records, interviews and independent expertise each instalment would require. A publication plan should explain how readers will find the work, not merely list possible platforms.

Allow time for careful verification

Legal reporting can involve contested accounts and complex terminology. Build time into your schedule for reviewing primary documents, checking quotations and offering a fair opportunity to respond where appropriate. Be explicit when a claim is an allegation, a finding or a person’s interpretation. These are general editorial practices, not a substitute for your outlet’s legal review.

Understand the payment structure

The stipend is tied to delivery of articles, so consider cash flow as well as the total award. Ask the organisers how completed work is submitted and when payment is processed. Do not assume the full amount is paid before reporting begins. Keep production expenses and any separate employment or freelance commitments in your project plan.

Compare the right opportunity

For a different reporting subject and mentorship model, compare JAWS. Its eligibility and deliverables are separate, so the same application should not be reused without substantial adaptation. Read our JAWS health reporting fellowship guide for the separate eligibility and application process.

Official application information

Read the official opportunity and application instructions.

Prepare your application against the organiser’s requirements, rather than relying on the headline alone. Check that documents are complete and that the application reaches the specified destination before the deadline. An application does not guarantee selection.

Independent publisher: Opportunities Feed shares information and is not affiliated with the organisation or recruiting on its behalf. Apply directly through the official channel.