Future Voices - Trainee Journalism Scheme 2026 -EXTEND in London

Future Voices EXTEND - Trainee Journalism Scheme 2026

Scheme duration: 3 months

Salary: £22,950 (pro rata) + £5,318 London Living Allowance

Location: London

Start date: 15 April 2026 – 17 July 2026

Deadline for applications: 4 March 2026

This role is advertised as part of our BBC Extend Scheme for disabled people. You should identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent and must meet either the definition of disability in the Equality Act (2010) or the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act (1995). You are broadly defined as disabled under both acts if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long‐term negative or adverse effect on your ability to do normal daily activities. This definition includes both apparent and non‐apparent conditions and impairments, and medical conditions such as cancer, HIV or multiple sclerosis.

We are committed to making the process of applying for this role as accessible as possible. If you need to discuss adjustments or access requirements for the application process, or have any questions about our Extend programme, please contact extend@bbc.co.uk.

The BBC is fully committed to providing workplace adjustments to help eliminate barriers that disabled people face. We have a dedicated BBC Access and Disability Service that provides assessments and support throughout employment. If you are successful in applying for this role and require workplace adjustments, we will work with you to get your adjustments in place.

If you would like more information on BBC Extend, please visit the BBC Extend website.

About Future Voices

Do you have what it takes to be a journalist at the BBC? Are you curious about the world? Do you have stories you think deserve more attention? Do you want to help shape the future of journalism? Do you identify as deaf, disabled or neurodivergent?

The BBC World Service is looking for the next generation of journalists to join our Future Voices 2026 – EXTEND Scheme: a 3‐month, paid, early‐career opportunity for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people. You will work with some of the world’s leading journalists, gain hands‐on newsroom experience, and develop the skills you need to begin your career in journalism.

Who are we looking for?

• We are looking for aspiring disabled journalists at the start of their journey who are passionate about finding, exploring and telling global stories.
• You do not need prior journalism experience or formal training – just curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm.
• Identify as disabled under the Equality Act (2010).
• Be aged 18 or over when the scheme begins in April 2026.
• Be fluent in English.
• Be fluent in one BBC World Service language or be able to demonstrate strong cultural connections to it. BBC World Service languages include Arabic, Azeri, Bengali, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, French (for Africa), Hausa, Igbo, Kinyarwanda, Kyrgyz, Pashto, Portuguese (for Latin America), Pidgin, Russian, Swahili, Spanish (for Latin America), Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Uzbek, Yoruba.
• Be legally allowed to work full‐time in the UK.
• Be available for a three‐week, fulltime, in‐person training period at Broadcasting House, London, from 15th April 2026.

What will you be doing?

• Develop core journalism skills across multiple platforms.
• Receive training from award‐winning BBC News and World Service teams.
• Work within newsroom teams on daily output or longer‐form stories.
• Produce content for your professional portfolio.
• Have access to a personal mentor plus ongoing support from the BBC Extend team.
• If you don’t live in London, support may be available to help you arrange accommodation.

What do you get?

• A paid three‐month placement at one of the world’s most respected news organisations.
• On‐the‐job training and newsroom experience.
• Access to industry‐leading journalists and mentors.
• A dedicated point of contact to support your development.
• Hybrid working following the initial training period.

How to apply

Once you begin your application you will be asked to answer the eligibility questions for this scheme. After submitting, you will be invited to an online assessment which includes a series of questions to help us understand your interest in journalism and creating content. You will need to upload a CV – passion matters more than experience. Answer a few questions via video recording based on your motivations for applying and passion for this area. This will be requested in both English and your second language. Share with us at least one item of journalistic content you’ve created – this could be a social media post, or something published on a digital platform, in print, TV, radio or podcast – and submit a news story idea. Think you’re the right candidate? Click 'Apply Now' to get started.

For more information on this placement, please join one of our webinars. You can sign up via the link below: Webinar Sign Up. For more information about the scheme please contact The Future Voices Team.

We welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‐economic background, religion and/or belief.

For any general queries, please contact: bbchr@bbc.co.uk.

Disclaimer: This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

Please note: If you were to be offered this role, the BBC will conduct Employment screening checks which include Reference checks; Eligibility to work checks; and if applicable to the role, Safeguarding and Adverse media/Social media checks. Any offer made is conditional on these checks being satisfactory.

The BBC is committed to redeploying employees seeking suitable alternative employment within the BBC and will be given priority consideration ahead of other applicants. Priority consideration means for those employees seeking redeployment their application will be considered alongside anyone else at risk of redundancy, prior to any individuals being considered who are not at risk.