Bertha Foundation is excited to announce the 2026 Bertha Challenge call for applications.
About The Bertha Challenge Fellowship Program for Activists, Investigative Journalists, Filmmakers and Lawyers
Opportunity Details
- Date Published: June 21, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 28, 2025
- Category: Fellowship
Bertha Foundation is excited to announce the 2026 Bertha Challenge call for applications. This year they are opening our application process to filmmakers and lawyers alongside investigative journalists and activists to apply with a body of work speaking clearly to their question for 2026:
How is the collusion between governments and corporations driving the assault on the rule of law, civil rights and a free press? How do we push back to protect democratic accountability
Their 2026 Bertha Challenge cohort will have some significant changes from previous years. These changes are in direct response to feedback they have received from their alumni network who remain deeply committed to the work of creating resilient, representative and accountable governments throughout the world.
- First, they are opening the question to look at the nexus between power, politics and profit to extend beyond the climate crisis - though they still welcome applications centering the climate crisis.
- Next, they are shifting the application emphasis to ask applicants to show how this one-year project will be part of a longer-term initiative. It is incredibly important, at the outset, that applicants see this work as part of a longer process and take into consideration the time to go into and out of the Fellowship, including how that may impact communities or organizations of which they are a part.
- Lastly, in addition to activists and investigative journalists, they are excited to extend the application to filmmakers and lawyers:
Filmmakers working on a fact-based film project speaking directly to the 2026 Bertha Challenge question, that is substantively rooted in communities, should apply with a clear body of work to be created over the 12 month Fellowship period. The project could be in any stage of the creation process, from the research stage, shooting, scripting and editing to post production and roll-out. A demonstrated approach to non-extractive filmmaking in service to communit(ies) depicted in the film project is required.
Lawyers engaged in bold and creative legal work that centers and strengthens movement lawyering are invited to apply. We are particularly interested in legal projects that are deeply rooted in and directly support communities and movements. This includes work such as gathering testimonies for current or future proceedings, investigating issues aligned with the Bertha Challenge question, mapping legal strategies, and contributing to litigation - whether in preparation, support or defense. Cross-jurisdiction litigation efforts are welcome, though clear ties with communities affected must be demonstrated. Priority will be given to projects developed in close collaboration with movements and grassroots organizations.
Bertha Challenge Culminating Work
The centerpiece of the Bertha Challenge program is the Fellowship project. Each Fellow will produce and deliver a body of work that speaks to the Bertha Challenge question and which demonstrates a participatory framework with a community(ies).
They want Fellows to learn from each other's work and experience. In addition to delivering the final work to the target audience, all work must be presented to the rest of the cohort. Projects presented must be publicly and freely available upon completion, and in English. Translation costs can be included in Fellow’s project budget.
Fellows invited to interview will be asked to deliver a short presentation on their proposed project.
Benefits of The Bertha Challenge Fellowship Program for Activists, Investigative Journalists, Filmmakers and Lawyers
The Bertha Challenge aims to support groundbreaking projects by providing time to work exclusively on a focused project, spaces in which to connect with a diverse global cohort of Bertha Fellows and partners and the resources to develop and deliver a body of work that speak directly to the Challenge question.
Our Fellowships offer:
- Income for each Bertha Challenge Fellow for one year, not exceeding USD 64,900 and commensurate with the applicant’s current or equivalent salary at the host organization.
- A Project Fund of up to USD 10,000 for each Bertha Challenge Fellow to produce a culminating body of work that responds to the Bertha Challenge question and is directed towards a specific audience.
- Access to a Connect Fund of up to USD 5,000 specifically designed to encourage collaboration between Fellows.
- Peer and mentor support in the form of regular virtual check-ins with Bertha staff and a community of Bertha Challenge Fellows and alumni.
- Network development through the global cohort of Bertha Challenge Fellows.
- A global convening of Bertha Challenge Fellows at the start of the Fellowship year.
The Bertha Challenge will launch in January 2026, with an opening convening scheduled for early in the Fellowship year at one of Bertha's partnered global retreat spaces, where Bertha Fellows will:
- Meet other Fellows in the 2026 Bertha Challenge cohort, spend dedicated time getting to know one another and get the opportunity to introduce individual work and perspectives.
- Find opportunities to refine the design of their project work for the year within a supportive framework.
- Discuss and frame possibilities for collaboration across the cohort.
- Debate current developments around the Bertha Challenge question.
The Bertha Challenge Fellowship Program for Activists, Investigative Journalists, Filmmakers and Lawyers Requirements
Bertha Fellows will spend their time working in their home countries and are required to:
- Work full-time for one year to deliver their Bertha Challenge project.
- Attend an in-person global convening that will take place towards the beginning of the Fellowship.
- Develop and deliver a culminating body of work that responds to the Bertha Challenge question.
- Participate in two virtual meetings per month, and occasionally facilitate these meetings.
Selection Criteria
- Bertha endeavors to select an inclusive and representative cohort of Bertha Fellows that celebrates diversity.
- Bertha Challenge Fellows will be selected on individual merit but also on their complementary skills to the cohort, their existing and/ or proposed networks and prospects for the long-term impact of their work.
- Applicants may come from and work in any country, but to ensure that this cohort of Bertha Challenge Fellows is able to be fully participatory, they require all applicants to be proficient in spoken and written English and able to deliver their final work in English.
Application Date and Process
All applicants must submit:
- A completed online application form.
- A brief resume/ CV in English of no more than two pages.
- A list of 2-4 referees including name, relationship to applicant and contact details.
- A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from the prospective host organization – including commensurate salary and health and pension benefits provided.
- Examples of previous work.
Application Deadline
28 July, 2025
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The Bertha Challenge Fellowship Program for Activists, Investigative Journalists, Filmmakers and Lawyers
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