The Local is an award-winning online publication devoted to exploring social issues in Toronto, with an emphasis on magazine-style journalism and reporting from local communities. We publish in-depth features, essays, data journalism, and commentary, alongside multimedia and other experimental forms of storytelling.

This year, The Local is hiring three editorial fellows and one photojournalism fellow. The aim of the Local Journalism Fellowship is to provide training and mentorship to early-career journalists from communities underrepresented in Canadian media, and to tell stories on subjects and from perspectives too often ignored. For our 2026 program, Fellows will work with our team during the run-up to the fall municipal elections, as we cover campaigns in Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton. Fellows will work on their own piece for the fall election issue, and will support the team’s other editorial efforts (like our candidate tracker) through research, writing, or photography.

We are eager to hear from applicants who are passionate about writing, research, editing, and fact-checking. We’re looking for some prior early-career experience in magazines or news writing; formal journalism training and education is an asset, but not required.

The Fellowship begins August 4, 2026 and ends October 30, 2026. It is part-time (equivalent to approximately three days per week) and flexible. Other than weekly editorial team meetings and seminars, fellows are free to organize their own schedules as long as deadlines are met. The weekly editorial meetings take place in-person at our office at 10 Adelaide Street East, but virtual options may be possible on a case-by-case basis.

This year, The Local has also received funding to spotlight Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary (2STNB) storytelling in Toronto. As such, one of the four editorial fellowship positions available this year is designated to go to an early-career 2STNB reporter, who will also receive additional mentorship support from leading queer editors or journalists in the industry.

Each fellow will be paid $8,000. Up to four fellows will be chosen.

Editorial Fellowships

The editorial fellowship is a paid 13-week opportunity for emerging writers to:

• Gain firsthand experience working alongside editors and collaborators through our election cycle.
• Create a piece of polished election-related journalism for publication; projects can be reported features, first-person essays, data journalism, or other forms. Examples of the kind of work we’re hoping to support can be found here and here.
• Support the election team with research, fact-checking, and reporting.
• Learn the craft of magazine-style, community journalism and make industry connections through a seminar series featuring guest speakers from other leading publications

How to apply:

Editorial fellowship candidates should submit:

• A cover letter introducing themselves and expressing how the Fellowship would benefit them
• A CV
• A writing sample, ideally a published work
• A sample pitch for a story that could theoretically be published in our 2026 election issue. Examples of types of stories include political analysis, feature stories that focus on specific policy issues, and “Ward Profiles,” which focus on a specific ward and the questions that might animate the race there. Pitches should be no longer than 500 words.

Submission Deadline: March 24 2026, 11:59PM ET

Please submit your application using the form at the bottom of the page.

Photography Fellowship

The photography fellowship is a paid 13-week opportunity for emerging photographers to:

• Gain firsthand experience working alongside editors and collaborators through our election cycle.
• Publish a major photography project related to the municipal election.
• Contribute photography to our election coverage. Assignments could include photographing candidates and debates, and capturing a neighbourhood or community.
• Learn the craft of magazine-style, community journalism and make industry connections through a seminar series featuring guest speakers from other leading publications.

How to apply:

Photography fellowship candidates should submit:

• A cover letter introducing themselves and expressing how the Fellowship would benefit them
• A CV
• Photography samples that demonstrate your experience and approach
• A pitch for an election-themed photo essay that could theoretically run in our municipal election issue

Submission Deadline: March 24 2026, 11:59PM ET

Please submit your application using the form at the bottom of the page.