Application Deadline: December 1, 2023.
About
Our Knight-Wallace Fellowships offer accomplished journalists two rare commodities: time and resources. Journalists who are eager for growth and deeply committed to the future of journalism spend an academic year at The University of Michigan to access the resources of a world-class university and dive into a journalism project. Areas of focus can include, but are not limited to, sharpening professional skills, addressing a challenge facing your newsroom, digging into data and research for a long-term reporting project or developing a journalism venture.
We select up to 20 Fellows from all facets of journalism who are ready to take the next career step and join us in Ann Arbor for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Benefits
- Eight-month program from late August through April of immersive study away from daily deadlines
- Individual journalism projects designed to develop topical depth, gain new skills, address a newsroom challenge or explore a journalism venture
- Specialized resources and access to faculty at the University of Michigan
- Private seminars with newsroom leaders, change agents and world-renowned experts for candid, off-the-record conversations
- Workshops to sharpen professional skills and leadership ability
- $85,000 stipend plus $5,000 for relocation expenses distributed monthly from August through April for living expenses (costs for health insurance, auditing courses, and participating in required workshops and fellowship activities paid for by Wallace House)*
- Individual relocation support and assistance with finding and securing housing to meet each Fellow’s housing needs
- Spouses and partners are invited to participate in fellowship activities and audit university courses as well
Eligibility
Qualified applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience and be currently working in some aspect of journalism for a news organization or as an independent journalist. We are looking for a diverse range of journalists, including reporters, editors, data experts, visual journalists, audio producers, engagement specialists, designers, developers, entrepreneurs and organizational change agents.
If you are not a full-time journalist, the majority of your work should be in journalism. We do not consider full-time academics, public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, public advocates, or those seeking a degree.
If you are a U.S. citizen, apply as a U.S. applicant, even if you work in another country or for a non–U.S. journalism entity. If you are not a U.S. citizen, apply as an international applicant, even if you work in the United States or for an American journalism entity. A Green Card is not the same as citizenship.
Terms
All Fellows awarded our in-person fellowship must maintain residency in Ann Arbor for the duration of the fellowship, attend all program seminars and events, and make the fellowship their primary professional focus. Applicants working in a newsroom are encouraged to obtain employer consent granting a leave of absence with the understanding that, upon completion of the fellowship and where applicable, the Fellow will return to their place of employment.
Timeline
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year will open October 13.
- Deadline for international journalists to apply for the 2024-2025 academic year is December 1, 2023. International applications uploaded under the U.S application portal will not be considered.
- Deadline for U.S. journalists to apply for the 2024-2025 academic year is February 1, 2024.
- Offers for Knight-Wallace Fellowships for the 2024-2025 academic year will be extended in early May 2024.
- The 2024-2025 academic year begins Monday, August 26, 2024. Fellows are expected to arrive in Ann Arbor at least one week prior for fellowship orientation.
Great care goes into assembling classes of Fellows that represent a diversity of race, ethnicity, nationality, experience, journalism specialty, geographic region and type and size of news organizations. Typically, ten to twelve U.S. journalists are joined by six to eight international colleagues. International finalists are interviewed in January and February to allow time for visa processing after selections are made. U.S. finalists are interviewed in April.
We accept up to 20 Fellows each year. U.S. applicants may be considered for our coverage area fellowships but should not direct their study plans to fit one of the categories. If you are a U.S. applicant and your work or fellowship project aligns with one of our dedicated fellowships, the selection committee will consider that alignment.
