Application Deadline: midnight December 1, 2017
A Knight-Wallace Fellowship recognizes exceptional journalists for their work, leadership and potential with a unique opportunity: an academic year of study, developing new perspectives and networks, and achieving both professional and personal growth at the University of Michigan, one of the world’s finest universities.
For the small group of journalism professionals from the U.S. and abroad selected for a Knight-Wallace Fellowship, the result is a life-changing experience.
- Personalized study plans and access to U-M courses allow you to pursue your own path.
- Regular seminars and visiting speakers bring the best from journalism and academia to you.
- Workshops for fellows provide opportunities to advance your writing, entrepreneurial and multimedia knowledge and skills. International travel is a core component of the experience.
- Stipends allow the fellows (and their families/partners) to make the most of a once-in-a-lifetime sabbatical opportunity.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be full-time journalists, with a minimum five years professional experience, whose work appears regularly as an employee or freelancer.
- Print/digital, broadcast, photo, documentary and graphic/visualization journalists are eligible to apply.
- There are no academic prerequisites.
Fellowship Worth:
- U.S. fellows receive $70,000 – distributed as $8,750 monthly – from September through April. Stipend details vary for international fellows and are worked out on an individual basis.
- All tuition and course fees at the University of Michigan are paid for by the fellowship. Spouses and partners are invited to partake in university courses as well.
- In addition, all fellowship trips – domestic and international – are covered. If the fellow’s employer does not contribute to insurance coverage, health insurance is provided to fellows and their family members who join them in Ann Arbor.
How to Apply:
What to Prepare
Please read this page carefully as it provides instructions on submitting the required documents, work samples and reference information to successfully submit your application.
- To apply, you will create a login. You can save your information and return to the application at any time before your final submission.
- If you are unable to access the online application, please contact us and we can make arrangements for a mail-in option.
- There are two parts to the application but you are required to complete only Phase I at this time.
Phase One of the Application
General Information
You will be asked to provide contact information for yourself and your employer, demographic information and to answer questions about your journalism achievements and disciplinary background. You will also be asked to upload several documents including a resume, personal statement, study plan and work samples.
Letters of Reference
You do not need to submit letters at this time. You will be asked to enter the name, title and affiliation of each person whom you would ask to write a letter on your behalf. Applicants will be invited to submit reference letters as part of Phase II of the application process.
Document Uploads
Projected Study Plan
- In no more than 500 words tell us what academic areas you propose to study. How do these relate to your career objectives? How do you plan to carry out this work: Courses? Tutorials? Research? Indicate areas of study, not specific classes. What benefit will this be to you, your employer or the field of journalism, following the fellowship?
- There will also be a field for you to summarize your study plan in 15 words or less.
Personal Statement
- You will be required to upload a personal statement of up to 1,500 words. This statement should examine what inspires you as a journalist including your life experiences, professional interests and core ethical values. How have these factors influenced your decision to submit an application for a fellowship at this point in your career? What are your professional aspirations and how do you expect the fellowship to help you attain those goals?
Work Samples
You will be be asked to submit two work samples at this time and additional samples may be requested during Phase II of the application process. Please submit work samples following the guidelines and all materials should preferably be from the past two years.
Work samples may be uploaded in a variety of formats as indicated in the application. You may send samples from more than one medium but label the samples accordingly: Print/Digital, Photo, Broadcast, Editor or Graphic/Visualization Sample.
- Print/Digital: Must include dates of publication.
- Photography: Photographs with captions indicating where they were published.
- Broadcast: Maximum viewing or listening time should be a total of 30 minutes and include a brief description, dates aired and a statement describing your involvement in each piece.
- Editors/Managers: Upload a statement of no more than 500 words describing your job responsibilities and approach to your work. In addition to the statement, you may also submit stories or projects and include a description of your role in the pieces.
- Graphic/Visualization: Must include dates of publication.
Work samples must be accompanied by English translations.
You are responsible that URL links remain active through January 31, 2018
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship 2017/2018