Update on our Volunteer Community

Last updated: May 6, 2026

Since launching as a Global Authentication Project in February 2022, our volunteer program has grown significantly and turned into what Bellingcat Volunteer Community is today. It is truly inspiring to see how the program has evolved, fuelled by a shared passion for open-source research and Bellingcat’s mission. As interest continues to rise, we are proud to sustain a vibrant, engaged community of over 80 active members who bring a diverse range of skills and global perspectives to our work.

After pausing new member onboarding last year, we are excited to announce that we are ready to welcome new volunteers in 2026!

Our community has undergone significant evolution over the past year. Because our mission has grown and your own skills and interests have likely evolved as well, we invite you to submit a new application form here. This updated form includes several new questions that reflect our current research focus and community structure. We hope you’ll find it helpful!

Important Next Steps:

If you are still interested in joining, we ask that you pay extra attention to our updated Volunteer FAQ before reapplying. In particular, please review the following sections to ensure our community is the right fit for your current capacity:

What happens next? We will begin shortlisting candidates for our next intake immediately, with onboarding expected to take place later this month. Please keep an eye on your inbox in the coming days and weeks.

About Bellingcat's Volunteer Community

What is Bellingcat Volunteer Community?

Also known as Bellingcat’s Global Authentication Project (originally launched in 2022), this initiative has evolved into a broader volunteer community experience. Today, the Bellingcat Volunteer Community collaborates to explore, verify, and uncover stories using open-source information and tools. From human rights and financial investigations to wildlife research, conflict monitoring, event authentication, and developing investigative technology, our community tackles a wide range of topics. We welcome enthusiasts from all backgrounds to join us in this collective effort.

Connect, learn, and contribute to global transparency in an inclusive and collaborative environment!

What is Our Collective Mission?
At Bellingcat, our mission is to democratise open-source investigative work by creating a community where everyone, regardless of expertise, can actively participate. We're dedicated to building a network of authenticity and transparency.

Our focus is not just on investigations but also on fostering continuous learning. Through collaboration, we empower volunteers to expand their skills, contribute meaningfully, and together, we aim to make a positive impact on the world.

Join us on a mission of learning, collaboration, and building a more transparent global community!

Join Waitlist

Please note that we receive a high volume of applications and our capacity to onboard new members is limited.
As a result, we onboard small cohorts quarterly. If you do not receive communication from us within the first month of the upcoming quarter, please understand that we may reach out to you at a later date.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we carefully review all submissions.

Recruitment Steps Breakdown

📝 Application

We onboard new members in cohorts, with application review phase beginning at the start of every quarter*. For example, if you apply in October, November or December, you can expect to hear from us during the Q1 cycle (January) or in one of the following recruitment cycles (April, July, October).

📬 Outreach

If you don't receive communication from us in the upcoming cycle, there's a chance we may reach out to you at a later date, either for a specific project or as our capacity expands. Your information will be securely stored for 12 months, and we'll consider your profile in the next available cycle.

👋 Recruitment

If your profile aligns with our needs, we'll extend an invitation for a brief introductory call. This isn't a formal job interview; rather, it's a chance for authentic connection. Feel free to bring any questions you may have.

🚀 Onboarding

If your application is successful, you'll receive an invitation to proceed with a brief but mandatory security onboarding process. This step is designed to ensure a secure and welcoming environment for all our members.

*Please note that the quarterly cycles apply only to the onboarding process and do not impact the length of your membership, which remains indefinite as long as it aligns with our policies.

Questions?

To ask questions or get more information on the project, contact volunteer@bellingcat.com
or DM @viktorijabellingcat on Bellingcat's public server on Discord.

Join Waitlist

We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Stay in touch with Bellingcat on Social Media.
And follow Volunteer Community–specific updates on LinkedIn to stay in the loop.