“The Metcalf Ocean Nexus Academy (MONA) is a fellowship program for journalists created by Ocean Nexus and Metcalf Institute, in collaboration with the Uproot Project. This exciting partnership seeks to advance transformative changes at the intersection of ocean governance, social justice, and equity. Participating journalists, working closely with Ocean Nexus scientists, aim to deepen their understanding of how our relationship with the ocean is intertwined with systemic inequities, particularly within historically marginalized communities, across the globe. As a part of the fellowship, fellows produce resource guides that will help other journalists understand the topics they covered and help expand the body of knowledge about ocean equity.

“The 2026 MONA workshop will be conducted in person at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI. on May 4-6, 2026 with a prior virtual matching session with Ocean Nexus scientists.

“The MONA fellowship is designed for US-based, mid-career journalists from diverse backgrounds. Applicants must be a member of the Uproot Project or one of its collaborating partners. Fellows will receive a $5000 stipend and travel, lodging and meals to the two-day workshop. For travel on reporting project following the in-person workshop, Fellows must pay all travel expenses up front and will receive travel reimbursement of $5,000 upon completion of the fellowship.”