Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship 2027

Applications are open for the Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship 2027, a four week in person professional development programme designed specifically for foreign journalists who are currently living in exile in the United States. The fellowship supports journalists who have faced serious professional and personal challenges while continuing their commitment to journalism.

The programme is offered by Alfred Friendly Press Partners in partnership with the Missouri School of Journalism. Alfred Friendly Press Partners has supported international journalists since 1984 and reports having trained more than 350 journalists from countries around the world. Its programmes are designed to strengthen journalism, build professional resilience and help journalists continue contributing to informed communities.

The 2027 fellowship represents the fourth year of the organisation's journalists in exile programme. It is particularly focused on journalists who have experienced significant hardship and disruption to their careers because of their circumstances. The programme aims to help these professionals strengthen their skills, rebuild confidence and remain competitive within the changing international media environment.

About the Fellowship

The Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship is an intensive professional programme for journalists who have been forced into exile but remain committed to practising journalism.

The programme is delivered in person and is intended to provide participants with practical knowledge and professional support that can help them continue their careers. Training focuses on areas that are especially relevant to journalists working under difficult circumstances, including personal and professional security, legal considerations, journalism practice and entrepreneurship.

A major element of the fellowship is community building. Participants come together with other journalists who have experienced similar challenges, creating an environment where they can exchange experiences, develop professional relationships and support one another.

The programme also recognises that exile can affect journalists beyond their professional lives. Psychosocial aspects of exile are therefore incorporated into discussions throughout the fellowship.

Alfred Friendly Press Partners describes its wider mission as lifting up journalism and helping international journalists who have faced danger or difficult working conditions become journalists in demand.

Fellowship Benefits

• Four week in person professional development programme

• Housing covered during the fellowship

• Food expenses covered

• Transportation expenses covered

• Living stipend of $2,000 per fellow

• Training in journalism and professional resilience

• Training related to security and legal issues

• Entrepreneurship development

• Peer community with journalists facing similar challenges

• Professional networking opportunities

• Support for journalists continuing their careers while living in exile

Programme Areas

The 2027 fellowship focuses on four principal professional areas:

• Security

• Legal issues

• Journalism

• Entrepreneurship

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be foreign journalists

• Applicants must currently be living in exile in the United States

• Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency

• Applicants should have a continued commitment to journalism

• Applicants should be prepared to participate in the four week in person programme

Required Application Information

Applicants should be prepared to provide information through the official online application, including relevant information about their journalism background and professional circumstances.

• Personal and professional information requested in the online application

• Details about journalism experience

• Information about professional achievements

• Information explaining relevant circumstances connected to exile where appropriate

• Responses to the programme application questions

Applicants who cannot answer particular questions because of their circumstances are encouraged to explain briefly why they are unable to provide the requested information rather than allowing this to discourage them from applying.

Selection Considerations

The fellowship is intended for journalists who have experienced significant challenges while continuing to pursue journalism. A strong application should therefore clearly communicate the applicant's professional background, journalism experience and commitment to continuing their work.

Applicants should also demonstrate why the fellowship would be relevant to their professional development and how the programme could help them strengthen their skills, resilience and future opportunities.

Because the programme is specifically designed for journalists living in exile, applicants should provide appropriate context about their circumstances where it is safe and possible to do so.

How to Apply

1. Review the Alfred Friendly Press Partners Fellowship 2027 eligibility requirements and programme information.
2. Confirm that you are a foreign journalist currently living in exile in the United States and that you have sufficient English proficiency.
3. Prepare the information required for the online application, including details about your journalism experience and professional background.
4. Complete the official online application form carefully and provide clear responses to the application questions.
5. If you cannot provide particular information because of circumstances related to exile, briefly explain the reason rather than leaving the programme because of the difficulty.
6. Review your application for accuracy and completeness before submitting it.
7. Submit the application before the December 15, 2026 deadline.