Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation

Application Deadline: December 1st 2019

The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation* brings individuals to Harvard University to work on a specific course of research or a specific project relating to journalism innovation. The fellowship is a collaboration between the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard. Both organizations share a set of common interests around journalism, innovation, and the evolution of the digital space, and both have longstanding fellowship programs that offer a year of learning and collaboration with others in the Harvard community.

Proposals from Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship candidates may deal with any issue relating to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples include ideas for new revenue streams to fund journalism, the construction of new tools for reporting, or research into news consumption patterns. Candidates must explain how their proposals will benefit journalism.

On campus, Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellows draw upon the wealth of resources available at Harvard and in the surrounding area for their work. Along with the Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Klein Center, Cambridge is home to institutions such as the Harvard Business School, MIT’s Center for Civic Media, the Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, the Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy, the Harvard Innovation Lab (i-lab) and other centers interested in journalism’s evolution.

Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellows are expected to fully participate in both the Nieman and Berkman Klein fellowship programs and serve as a bridge between them. They also are expected to share the results of their work with other fellows and through the Nieman Journalism Lab.

The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship is open to both U.S. and international applicants. Candidates should either be working journalists or work for a news organization in a business, technology, or leadership capacity. Freelance journalists are welcome to apply.

Benefits:

Nieman Fellows receive a stipend of $75,000 paid over a nine-month period to cover living costs. The Nieman Foundation also provides allowances for childcare and health insurance based on the number and ages of family members. Nieman additionally covers the cost of attending Harvard classes for fellows and their affiliates

Application requirements:

All Nieman Fellowship applicants must complete an online application form. Candidates for academic-year fellowships must submit the following information as part of their package: two essays; a professional profile and study plan summary; work samples and three letters of recommendation.

Candidates for the Abrams Nieman Fellowship for Local Investigative Journalism complete the Abrams Nieman Fellowship online application, which includes the same requirements as listed above as well as a project proposal.

Candidates for the Knight Visiting Nieman Fellowship complete a streamlined application that requires only biographical information, a résumé and a project proposal.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation 2020