Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards 2027

Applications are open for the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards 2027, an opportunity supporting undergraduate and graduate students who are preparing for careers in international journalism. The awards are offered by the Overseas Press Club Foundation to help emerging journalists develop their reporting skills and pursue academic and professional goals connected to international news.

The programme is primarily designed for students who want to build careers covering international journalism rather than returning to their countries of origin to work primarily as local reporters. It is also focused on students at the beginning of their journalism careers rather than established or mid career professionals.

In a typical year, the Foundation grants 18 scholar awards. Depending on the award received, scholars may receive financial support for independent journalism work or a fellowship supporting time in the bureau of a leading news organisation such as the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg or The Wall Street Journal.

About the Scholar Awards

The Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards support students who have demonstrated an interest in international journalism and want to use their education and journalism experience to develop careers covering international communities, issues and events.

The Foundation has supported emerging journalists through scholarships and fellowships that provide both financial assistance and opportunities to gain practical journalism experience. Award recipients may use the support to pursue independent work or participate in professional opportunities with major international news organisations.

Applicants do not need to have travelled internationally to be considered. Previous scholars have developed work focusing on international communities and issues both overseas and within the United States, demonstrating that international journalism can be explored through a wide range of reporting contexts.

Opportunity Benefits

• $3,000 scholarship for independent journalism work for selected scholarship recipients

• $4,000 fellowship for selected recipients undertaking work in a bureau of a leading news organisation

• Opportunity to develop international journalism experience

• Opportunity to strengthen professional journalism skills

• Potential experience with major international news organisations

• Recognition through the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards

• Opportunity to join a community connected to international journalism

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a college junior, senior or graduate student at the application deadline

• Be enrolled in a degree programme at the time of application

• Be studying at a college or university in the United States or Canada, or be an American student studying abroad

• Have demonstrated an interest in international journalism

• Be interested in developing a career in international journalism

• Applicants may be of any nationality, provided they meet the programme requirements

The programme is intended primarily for students at the beginning of their journalism careers and is not designed as a mid career professional award.

Award Categories

Successful applicants may receive one of two forms of support.

• Independent Work Scholarship: A $3,000 scholarship to support independent journalism work.

• International Journalism Fellowship: A $4,000 fellowship to fund time in a bureau of a leading news organisation such as the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg or The Wall Street Journal.

Required Application Materials

All elements of the application must be combined into a single document. The Foundation accepts files in either PDF or DOCX format, and the file must not exceed 10 MB.

• One page autobiographical cover letter

• One page resume

• One journalism work sample

• International journalism interests and career goals

• Relevant journalism, language and media skills

• Information about visa and passport status where relevant to overseas work

Cover Letter

The one page cover letter should explain how the applicant developed an interest in journalism and why they are interested in a particular part of the world, international community or international issue.

Applicants should also explain how they would use the award to further their journalism career. Any gaps or significant changes in academic or professional progress should also be explained.

Resume

The one page resume should emphasise journalism experience, language abilities and media skills.

Applicants should include relevant international or domestic reporting experience, freelance published work and independent unpublished projects. Information about visa and passport status for overseas work should also be included where applicable.

Work Sample

Applicants can submit one work sample in print, photography, video or audio journalism.

Print journalism

• Submit a 600 to 800 word writing sample

• Focus on an international issue or an area of the world connected to the applicant's interests and experience

• State whether the work was previously published

• Indicate whether the work was edited, condensed or produced as a school project

• Submit the work as a standalone document rather than as a clip or URL

Photojournalism

• Submit one PDF containing photographs or a website link where the work can be viewed

• The entry may be a feature, personality or news journalism project

• Include an approximately 500 word writing sample explaining the photographs, how they were captured or their significance

Video and Audio Journalism

• Submit a link where judges can view or listen to the work

• The work should be between two and seven minutes

• The entry should have primarily international relevance

• Include an approximately 500 word explanation of the work

• Explain how the material was captured and its significance

• Describe the applicant's role in producing the work

• Credit all team members who contributed

• The work should demonstrate a complete story with a beginning, middle and end.

How to Apply

1. Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that you are enrolled in an eligible degree programme.
2. Prepare a one page autobiographical cover letter explaining your journalism interests, international focus and career goals.
3. Prepare a one page resume highlighting journalism experience, language skills, media abilities and relevant international or domestic work.
4. Select one work sample in print, photography, video or audio journalism.
5. Prepare the required written explanation or contextual material for your selected work sample.
6. Combine all application components into one PDF or DOCX document.
7. Ensure the file is no larger than 10 MB.
8. Name the file using the format Last name_First name.
9. Submit the completed application before the November 15, 2026 deadline.