Application Deadline: September 29th, 2017.
The Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowships at Harvard offer short-term research opportunities to individuals interested in working on special projects designed to advance journalism in some new way. Candidates need not be practicing journalists, but must demonstrate the ways in which their work at Harvard and the Nieman Foundation may improve the prospects for journalism’s future. This may be related to research, programming, design, financial strategies or another topic. Both U.S. and international applicants are invited to apply.
A Nieman Fellowship is an extraordinary, transformative learning opportunity open to journalists working in all media in every country around the world. Those selected for the program spend two full semesters at Harvard auditing classes with some of the university’s greatest thinkers, participating in Nieman events and collaborating with peers. Nieman Fellows are also able to audit classes at other local universities including MIT and Tufts.
Each year, the Nieman Foundation awards paid fellowships to up to 24 journalists working in print, broadcast, digital and audiovisual media. Journalists and other professionals working in positions that support journalism, such as the business or technology departments of news companies, are welcome to apply for one of the foundation’s short-term Visiting Fellowships.
In addition to working journalists, those who should consider applying include publishers, programmers, designers, media analysts, academics and others interested in enhancing quality, building new business models or designing programs to improve journalism. Project proposals may be completed during the time spent at Harvard or be part of a larger undertaking. All visiting fellows are expected to be in residence in Cambridge during their study and present their findings to the Nieman community at the end of their research period. There are no academic prerequisites, and a college degree is not required.
Eligibility Requirements:
- All applicants for academic-year Nieman Fellowships, including freelancers, must be working journalists with at least five years of full-time media experience. Journalism-related work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience. Professionals who work in public relations or in a position whose primary focus is not the media are not eligible to apply.
- During the two years prior to applying, an applicant should not have participated in a fellowship lasting four months or longer.
Candidates nominate themselves for Nieman Fellowships by submitting an application and supplementary materials. There are no age limits or academic prerequisites, and a college degree is not required.
After candidates have been chosen, they must agree in writing to honor all leave stipulations made with their employers; to refrain from professional work during the fellowship year, except as approved by the Nieman curator; and to complete work in a minimum of one course per semester and honor commitments made to faculty as a condition of auditing a class.
Benefits:
- Nieman Fellows receive a stipend of $65,000 paid over a nine-month period to cover living costs.
- The Nieman Foundation also provides housing, childcare, and health insurance allowances based on the number and ages of family members.
- Nieman additionally covers the cost of attending Harvard classes for fellows and their affiliates. Affiliates are the partners and spouses of fellows.
- They enjoy many of the same privileges as fellows and may attend classes, use Harvard libraries and other facilities, and are welcome to participate in almost all Nieman activities.
- Recipients of short-term Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowships receive a stipend prorated for the length of their fellowships as well as free housing for the length of their stay at Harvard.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowships