Higher Education Media Fellowship

_NOTE: It is strongly recommended that all components be submitted at least one day prior to the application deadline, to ensure the documents have been received. If all components are not received by deadline, the application will be incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered._

Journalism Fellowships

Citizens & Scholars has one Fellowship for journalists to fund a reporting project.

Shaping Understanding of Higher Education

Journalists and the media play a critical role in shaping public understanding of the role of higher education in shaping the next generation of citizens. However, the resources needed to produce high-quality reporting on pressing education issues have been declining for years. Higher Ed Media Fellows are journalists interested in diving deeper into underreported issues in higher education.

The Fellowship currently focuses on issues related to postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE), with topics including data sourcing and analysis, best practices for solutions journalism, and the intersection of postsecondary education and civic learning. The Fellowship is funded by the ECMC Foundation. Funding is awarded every year to early and mid-career journalists completing CTE reporting projects. As part of the program, Fellows will attend a symposium to build their knowledge and further develop their craft.

• The Fellows: 62 Fellows from print, online, TV, and radio outlets across the country
• The Impact: 80+ articles or reports published, elevating public understanding of higher ed issues

Building Networks for Journalists

The CTE symposium includes dedicated activities for professional and network development. To foster a strong and collaborative community, past Fellows are invited to serve as mentors for the current class. The symposium has been designed to provide a deep and multifaceted fellowship opportunity for participants. This robust experience that will support Fellows’ personal and professional development; give Fellows the opportunity to develop and deepen relationships with one another; bolster their connections to those working in the CTE field; and provide one-on-one mentoring and additional workshops.

The funding for this program is a part of ECMC Foundation’s CTE Leadership Collaborative, an initiative focused on bringing together diverse perspectives and equipping CTE leaders with the tools, resources, and skills needed to advance postsecondary CTE.

The Award

• Each ECMC Foundation Fellow in the Higher Education Media Fellowship program will be awarded $10,000—$5,000 as a stipend and $5,000 towards the reporting project.
• The six-month, non-residential program begins with an expense-paid post secondary career and technical education (CTE) symposium.
• Following the symposium, Fellows must complete a reporting project, such as a special report or series.
• Fellows will also attend a CTE Collaborative Convening hosted by the ECMC Foundation in the fall.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• The Fellowship is open to U.S. journalists who are education-beat reporters or those whose work experience includes reporting on education and associated workforce development, social, or public policy issues.
• Potential Fellows will be early- and mid-career journalists interested in deepening and expanding their understanding of postsecondary education with a specific emphasis on CTE.
  • Print, radio, TV, multimedia, and online editors and journalists from local and national publications and digital-only news platforms are eligible, as are freelancers who target mainstream/corporate and independent media outlets.

Ineligibility

• Ineligible applicants include employees of professional organizations, educational institutions, think tanks, alumni periodicals, advocates, or groups focused on research, advocacy or lobbying.