Knight-Wallace Fellowship 2027–2028 in USA (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Knight-Wallace Fellowship is a research program hosted by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, United States. Up to 19 fellows are selected to spend an eight-month academic year, running from late August through April, working under the supervision of faculty members. Participants use university resources to pursue individual journalism projects, address newsroom challenges, develop journalism ventures, and attend private seminars, leadership workshops, and off-the-record discussions with newsroom leaders and world-renowned experts. Spouses and partners are also invited to participate in fellowship activities and audit university courses.

Who can apply

The program selects up to 19 individuals from all aspects of journalism, including reporters, editors, data experts, visual journalists, audio producers, engagement specialists, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and organizational change agents. Applicants must have at least five years of experience and be currently working in some aspect of journalism either for a news organization or as independent journalists. Those who are not full-time journalists must have the majority of their work in journalism, and public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, and public advocates will not be considered. U.S. citizens must apply as U.S. applicants regardless of where they work or the nationality of their journalism entity, while non-U.S. citizens must apply as international applicants regardless of whether they work in the United States or for an American journalism entity, as holding a Green Card is not equivalent to citizenship.

What you get

Selected participants receive an $85,000 stipend along with $5,000 for relocation expenses, auditing courses, and participating in workshops and fellowship activities. The program also offers relocation support to help fellows find and secure housing.

Requirements

Applicants must submit a resume, a journalism project proposal, a personal statement, and work samples.

How to apply

Applicants must create an account to log in, provide contact and demographic information, answer questions regarding their journalism background, upload the required documentation and work samples, fill out the remaining form fields, and then review and submit the application.

Key dates

The application deadline for international journalists is 1 December, 2026. The application deadline for U.S. journalists is 1 February, 2027.