Pillars Fund logo

Pillars Bylines

Pillars Fund

Foundation Annual Grants for JournalismProfessional Development Grants
Apply Now

Funding Amount

$35,000

Deadline

May 15, 2026

37 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Pillars Bylines

Status: Applications open April 1 - May 15, 2026

Overview: Pillars Bylines is a fellowship that supports early-career freelance Muslim journalists focused on culture. Through this fellowship, Pillars supports journalists with the funding, community, and professional development needed to sustain careers in culture journalism. The fellowship recognizes that Muslim journalists are telling stories with urgency and depth in a moment when journalists are being targeted, newsrooms are contracting, and Muslim voices are being pushed out of the field.

Focus Areas:

  • Culture as essential journalism coverage (arts, music, food, religion, language, identity)

  • Muslim lens to culture

  • Narratives from Muslim perspectives

  • Culture as a site of insight, power, and social change

  • Early-career freelance journalism

    • Geographic Scope: U.S. and territories

    Award Details:

  • 10 fellows selected per cycle

  • $35,000 unrestricted award per fellow

  • Workshops and peer learning in craft, pitching, audience engagement, and ethics

  • Professional development including editing, pitching, and publication support

  • Exclusive industry connections

  • Three fully funded in-person retreats (accommodations and airfare paid)

    • Eligibility Requirements:

  • Muslim freelance journalists (writers, reporters, producers, photographers, critics)

  • At least 3-5 years of professional journalism experience

  • Live in the U.S. and territories (citizenship not required)

  • Report, publish, produce in English (multilingual journalists welcome)

  • Published work within the last 3 years

  • Must treat culture as essential coverage

    • Prioritized Characteristics:

  • Digital-first with clear reporting practice, beat, or area of inquiry

  • Bring lived experience, community connection, and strong editorial judgment

  • Engage culture as a site of insight, power, and social change

  • Committed to journalism as long-term practice and building toward leadership

  • Understand how narratives are made and what changes when Muslim voices lead

    • Contact Information:

  • General inquiries: journalism@pillarsfund.org

  • For concerns about Muslim identity: journalism@pillarsfund.org

    • Selection Criteria: Fellows are selected based on:

  • Journalistic craft

  • Cultural vision

  • Alignment with Pillars' mission

  • Distinct editorial voice

  • Curiosity and cultural fluency

  • Commitment to collective learning in cohort format

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline:

  • Application period: April 1 - May 15, 2026 (12:00 p.m. CT start and end)

  • Selection committee begins reviewing: May 2026

  • All applicants notified of status: Fall 2026

    • Required Materials:
    1. Short bio
    2. Resume
    3. Five-minute personal video essay
    4. Two brief prompted reflections
    5. Two work samples (published)

    Work Sample Requirements:

  • Must be published in a media outlet (Substack or independent blog submissions not eligible)

  • Must be published in English or have English subtitles and/or translation

  • Can be submitted as: text articles/essays, videos, data journalism pieces, radio/audio pieces, photo essays

  • Submit via Submittable application platform

  • Non-text pieces (video, photography, audio) are accepted

    • Information Session:

  • April 22, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. CT / 2:00 p.m. AST / 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT

    • Late Submissions: Will not be accepted except in case of pre-approved accommodations

    Accessibility: Applicants with disabilities requiring accommodations should email journalism@pillarsfund.org

    Fellowship Commitment (if selected):

  • Three multi-day in-person gatherings (December 2026, April 2027, June 2027)

  • Journalist showcase presentation during final retreat

  • Capstone journalism project to be included in fellowship multimedia volume

  • Access to virtual workshops, 1:1 coaching and mentorship, small group programming

  • Attendance at most virtual offerings is optional except scheduled coaching/mentorship

  • All accommodations and airfare covered by fellowship

    • Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    journalismprofessional-development

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for JournalismProfessional Development Grants

    Related Grants

    Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

    Foundation

    APA Journalism Foundation Internship Program

    Amount

    Up to $1,500 per internship

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Metz Newspaper Management Scholarship

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Foundation

    Foundation Grant Application

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Foundation

    APME 2018 College Scholarship Program

    Amount

    $1,000

    Deadline

    May 31, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    American Journalism Project Civic News Organization Grants

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Jack G. Shaheen Mass Communications Scholarship Awards

    Amount

    $2,500

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual

    Ready to apply for Pillars Bylines?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more