Journalism entails providing the public with information. Journalists play a vital role in society. Hence, the need for them to be properly trained to carry out their duties effectively. Journalism also cuts across a wide range of areas like business, education, health, technology, agriculture, and food production, and the list goes on. As a media enthusiast, applying for and receiving a fellowship membership will help boost your career as it opens you up to various opportunities like having access to interact with professionals in the field, attending conferences and workshops, subsidized fees or full payment of fees, and lots more. This article contains a list of fellowship opportunities open for professionals interested in the journalism field.
10 Fellowships For Journalism Professionals
Below is a list of fellowship programs open for journalism professionals:
1. Knight-Bagehot Fellowship In Economics And Business Journalism
The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship is an academic fellowship open to journalists who want to major in business and economics. It was created by Columbia University in the City of New York and the major criterion is journalistic excellence. Between 1975 and 2020, over 400 journalists have benefitted from this initiative.
Benefits: Successful applicants have access to Free tuition, stipend for living expenses, and accommodation. The stipend amount sums up to $60,000
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
2. Nieman Fellowship At Harvard University
Additionally, the Nieman Fellowship is run by the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. Successful applicants will have access to spend an academic year at the University of Harvard to strengthen their knowledge and leadership skills. However, the fellowship opportunity is open to post-graduate students. So far, the fellowship has benefitted over 1,500 journalists from nearly 100 counties. The various specialized options available include:
- The Nieman-Berkman Fellowship in Journalism Innovation
- The Abrams Nieman Fellowship for Local Investigative Journalism (open to U.S. candidates)
- The Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowships
Benefits: Selected participants get to enjoy full fellowship with a stipend of $75,000 for living expenses.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
3. Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting Fellowship
Furthermore, the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellows program is open for journalists covering a wide range of critical issues in countries around the world and in the United States. Successful applicants have access to Pulitzer Center mentorship, networking opportunities, and journalism resources. They also enjoy the benefits that come with being part of a community.
Benefits: The benefits of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting fellowship include a grant of $5,000 for a reporting project on topics and regions of global importance, with an emphasis on, mentorship and exposure.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
4. Knight-Wallace Fellowship At The University Of Michigan
The Knight-Wallace Fellowships aims to provide qualified journalists with an academic year of study and access to resources at the University of Michigan. Selected applicants will have to opportunity to pursue different journalism projects, tackle challenges facing the journalism industry, and participate in weekly private seminars with journalism leaders, renowned scholars, media innovators, and social change agents.
Benefits: The benefits selected participants get to enjoy include:
- Access to resources at the University of Michigan
- A stipend of $85,000 plus $5,000 relocation fees
- Networking opportunities
- Access to workshops, and discussions among other benefits.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
5. The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship By The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF)
Also, the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship was established in memory of Elizabeth Neuffer who died while reporting in Iraq on May 9, 2003. It is open to female journalists who have at least three years of professional experience in journalism working in print, broadcast, or digital media, either as a staff journalist or as a freelancer. Qualified applicants from any country can apply for the fellowship.
Benefits: The benefit of the fellowship includes a monthly stipend to help with the cost of living, airfare, health insurance, visa costs, and accommodation among other benefits.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
6. Logan Nonfiction Program Fellowship
The Logan Nonfiction Program Fellowship is open to nonfiction writers, documentary filmmakers, photojournalists, podcasters, and multimedia creators. The program runs for 10 weeks in New York. It is a hybrid fellowship that combines virtual and in-person programming in two classes per year of 10-12 fellows per class.
Benefits: The program includes: a stipend for travel, membership of the alumni group, access to workshops with other fellows, capacity building panels, film screening, two weeks in person at the Carey Institute for Global Good’s historic campus in upstate New York with lodging, meals, workspace, professional guidance and community are provided during these periods.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
7. Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellowship
Additionally, the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute Fellowships are open to individuals and organizations who desire to partner on innovative projects for community-centered news, journalists, and the communities they serve. The projects are executed within 8 months and are expected to be free for journalists, newsrooms, and the public to utilize. Two types of RJI Fellowships:
- Residential Fellowship
- Remote: Nonresidential or Institutional
Benefits: The benefits are:
- Residential fellows spend eight months on the Missouri campus and have access to the resources available at the university. They will receive $10,000 and a $10,000 housing allowance
- Nonresidential fellows are employees of a news, technology, or related company who have ideas they can develop while continuing in their jobs. They have access to a $20,000 stipend for the eight-month program.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
8. Government (Stipendium Hungaricum) Scholarships
The Hungary Government (Stipendium Hungaricum) Scholarships are open for international students who want to pursue a master’s degree in any subject including journalism and other related courses in Hungary. It is funded by the government in Hungary and is one of the most prestigious scholarships in the European region.
Benefits: Some of the benefits that come with this scholarship include:
- Exemption from tuition fees
- Monthly stipend
- Living expenses
- Accommodation expenses
- Medical insurance and so on.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
9. Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship
Furthermore, the Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship is open to early-career professional journalists from developing countries. However, they must have proficiency in the English language and can apply for a six-month fellowship. Eligible candidates should be 25-35 years old and have at least three years of experience as a journalist at a print, online, or broadcast media outlet.
Benefits: The benefits of the fellowship include improvement of professional skills, gain insight into the American culture business, and politics, and access to networking opportunities among other benefits.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.
10. Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program Fellowship For Journalists
Finally, the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Program (DFP) is open to nonfiction filmmakers worldwide in the production of cinematic documentaries on contemporary themes. It was established in 2002 with funding support from the Open Society Foundation.
Benefits: In collaboration with its partners, the program offers support for projects that address pressing sociocultural issues. However, selected entries will be fielded through our general Documentary Fund application.
Application criteria: To know more about the requirements, click here.