In a continent where stories shape futures, the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling stands out as a beacon. Created by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in partnership with the ONE Campaign and the Elliott family, this award honours emerging African journalists whose work strengthens voices, illuminates change and underscores the power of storytelling.
Why You Should Apply
At its heart, the Michael Elliott Award recognises that journalism isn’t just about facts; it’s about impact, meaning and the communities behind the headlines. Michael Elliott, former editor at The Economist, Newsweek and Time, and later CEO of ONE, believed in journalism’s potential to contribute to progress. In honour of that vision, the award supports African journalists at a critical stage of their careers.
What the award offers
- A US$5,000 cash prize and personalized certificate to the winner.
- A two‑week professional development placement at The Economist’s London HQ (for the 2026 edition, scheduled June 22 – July 3).
- Recognition across the continent for work that goes beyond reportage — telling transformative stories with depth, care and authenticity.
Who should apply?
Eligible applicants:
- Journalists based in Africa, working in print, online, broadcast or multimedia.
- Those with no more than 10 years’ journalism experience.
- Applicants who submit one published piece (in English, or with an English translation) that reflects impactful storytelling about Africa, especially investigative or explanatory work that reveals change in motion.
Key deadlines & eligibility at a glance
- Submission window for the 2026 award: published work should fall between 1 December, 2024 and 1 December, 2025.
- Application deadline: Sunday, 9 January 2026.
- Selection by an international jury of media leaders from Africa, the UK and the US.
Why now is the time
For young and mid‑career African journalists, the media landscape is evolving fast: digital platforms, visual storytelling and cross‑border investigations are reshaping how stories are told and received. The Michael Elliott Award offers more than prestige; it provides a platform, mentorship and exposure to global standards through the London placement. Past winners have gone on to broaden their reach, impact and careers.
What sort of stories resonate?
Here are recent examples:
- One winner exposed how disinformation via Telegram and TikTok led to the incarceration of minors in Nigeria, shining a light on hidden digital harms.
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Another investigated how contaminated infrastructure in Ghana posed a public health crisis.
These stories illustrate the depth and kind of work the award celebrates, courageous, analytical, human‑centred.
How to make a standout submission
- Choose a piece that moves beyond the surface, one that uncovers hidden dynamics, structural issues, or community responses rather than just reporting events.
- Ensure your work is clear in English, or submit with a reliable translation.
- Demonstrate impact or potential impact: What changed? Who benefited? What questions did you raise?
- Respect the timeline: the publishing date of your piece must fall in the defined window (for 2026: Dec 1 2024–Dec 1 2025).
- Make your case: Why this story? Why now? Why you? This award values narrative, significance and craft equally.
Apply now and tell the story that needs telling.
If you’re a journalist based in Africa with a published piece that connects deeply to the continent’s unfolding narratives, this is your moment. The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling invites you to bring your best work forward, amplify voices and contribute to Africa’s narrative on your own terms.
For the full call for applications, eligibility details and submission link, visit here