WiJ Scotland launches 2026 mentoring scheme - find out how to apply
Are you an early to mid-career journalist in Scotland looking to develop your practice?
Do you have specific goals you want to reach or challenges you’d like to overcome?
Women in Journalism Scotland can help.
Women in Journalism Scotland has launched the sixth round of its successful mentoring scheme, with mentoring to take place in 2026.
Our mentoring scheme has supported more than 100 women journalists of all ages and backgrounds to date, from beats as diverse as politics and investigations to travel, food and drink, arts, health, sport, local news, digital, data, opinion and tech.
Our mentors have helped their mentees bag bylines in publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian, as well as build contacts and grow in confidence.
The 2026 programme will draw on the knowledge and experience of a pool of experienced women journalist mentors. Successful applicants will be paired with a journalist mentor based on their specialism / goals.
Mentees will receive:
Twelve career development sessions
An introductory online workshop guiding them through what to expect from the mentoring year
A mentoring meet-up at BBC Scotland HQ with wine and snacks, where they will get to know other mentees and mentors and network with BBC Scotland journalists
Invitations to events hosted throughout the year by Women in Journalism Scotland
Catriona Forrest, Head of Mentoring at Women in Journalism Scotland, said: “This scheme provides a rich experience for both sides of the mentoring scheme - it is a rare opportunity for up-and-coming women journalists to have their professional development supported by experienced, expert journalists. These relationships have led to great things and can be tailored to suit the participants.
”So when you apply, think carefully about what you would like to gain from being mentored, what you would like to have help to improve or change.”
Parie Desai is Deputy Head of Mentoring, and she took place in the scheme as a mentee in 2025. She said: ”The opportunity to be a mentee on this year's mentoring scheme has been truly life-changing: I have seen my confidence grow, both on a personal and professional level, thanks to the help and support of my mentors. This is exactly what I needed as a student journalist who was navigating her next steps post-university. Now having started an internship within the industry, I continue to be supported and guided. I could not recommend the scheme enough.”
How to apply
To apply to have your media career shaped by this opportunity, fill in the below application form by December 15 2026.
Application form https://forms.gle/KCKt6HDvZmQUePWbA
This year we are also asking applicants to submit a short plan detailing what they would like to achieve with a mentor, including two goals.
FAQ
Who can apply?
Early and mid-career women journalists working in Scotland will be chosen to take part in a year-long programme, which will include an hour a month of their mentor’s time, most likely on Zoom.
WiJ Scotland defines an early to mid-career journalist as someone who feels they still have space to grow in their career and has specific goals they feel a mentor could help with. We would particularly urge journalists who have lost confidence or career direction to apply.
Boosting the number of women of colour journalists and women sports journalists in Scotland is one of our goals. Therefore, while the mentoring scheme is not generally open to student journalists, it is open to women of colour student journalists and students who want to be sports journalists.
Applicants must be a member of Women in Journalism Scotland. If you are not yet a member of Women in Journalism Scotland, join here.
What successful applicants will receive
A year’s mentoring with an established women journalist with sessions conducted either in person or on Zoom
An invite to an introductory mentoring workshop and an in-person mentoring social at BBC Scotland’s HQ
The chance to connect with other mentees on the scheme
Career development, opportunities and guidance from Women in Journalism Scotland
Why mentoring?
We believe mentoring has the ability to change the future of journalism. That future features a more confident, diverse workforce, a greater prevalence of women’s voices and more women in senior positions.
How is the mentoring scheme judged?
Applicants will be selected by a panel led by the WiJ Scotland committee.
The panel will study all the answers to the questions posed in each application and base its final decision on the journalists proving how much they would benefit from the programme. An additional factor will be which applicant best fits the skills and experience of the mentors.
When will I hear back?
We aim to contact all applicants by late December. Unsuccessful applicants will be provided with feedback.