Wallace House Center for Journalists · University of Michigan
Applications are open for the Knight Wallace Fellowships 2027 to 2028, an opportunity for experienced journalists to spend an academic year developing their professional skills, exploring important reporting questions, and pursuing ambitious journalism projects at the University of Michigan in the United States.
The fellowship is offered by the Wallace House Center for Journalists at the University of Michigan. It gives journalists time away from daily newsroom deadlines to investigate new ideas, strengthen their expertise, address challenges facing their organisations, and explore innovative approaches to journalism.
The programme welcomes professionals from different areas of journalism, including reporting, editing, data journalism, visual journalism, audio production, audience engagement, design, development, entrepreneurship, and organisational change. Applicants may work for a news organisation or as independent journalists, provided they have substantial professional experience and are currently engaged in journalism.
The Knight Wallace Fellowships provide accomplished journalists with the time, resources, and intellectual environment to reflect on their work and develop ideas that can strengthen journalism. The programme is designed for professionals ready to take the next step in their careers and make a meaningful contribution to the future of news and public information.
During the fellowship, participants pursue individual journalism projects based on their professional interests and development goals. Projects may involve investigating a complex issue, learning new reporting techniques, examining a newsroom challenge, undertaking long term research, or developing a new journalism venture.
Fellows become part of an interdisciplinary learning community at the University of Michigan. They have opportunities to engage with university faculty, newsroom leaders, journalism innovators, researchers, and specialists whose knowledge can help them develop new perspectives and approaches.
The programme typically selects up to 19 Fellows, including both US and international journalists. The in person experience requires participants to live in Ann Arbor for the fellowship period, attend required seminars and events, and make the programme their primary professional focus.
• Financial stipend: Selected Fellows receive an $85,000 stipend distributed monthly from August through April to support living expenses.
• Relocation assistance: An additional $5,000 is provided for relocation expenses.
• Health insurance support: Wallace House covers health insurance costs associated with the fellowship.
• Academic access: Fellows can access University of Michigan faculty, resources, and opportunities to audit courses.
• Professional development: Workshops help participants strengthen their reporting, professional skills, and leadership abilities.
• Expert seminars: Private seminars provide opportunities for candid discussions with newsroom leaders, change agents, and specialists.
• International travel: Fellowship travel helps participants explore political, economic, and social developments that influence journalism and news coverage.
• Individual project development: Fellows receive time and resources to pursue an ambitious journalism project, develop subject expertise, or explore an innovative idea.
• Housing assistance: Participants receive relocation support and assistance with finding and securing suitable accommodation.
• Professional network: Fellows join a community of journalists and experts with opportunities for learning, collaboration, and future professional connections.
• Partner participation: Spouses and partners are invited to take part in fellowship activities and audit university courses.
The Knight Wallace Fellowships are open to journalists with varied professional interests. Applicants should identify a project that reflects their experience, ambitions, and potential contribution to journalism.
Possible areas of focus include:
• Investigative and explanatory reporting.
• Data journalism, research, and evidence based reporting.
• Visual journalism, photography, and multimedia storytelling.
• Audio production and podcast journalism.
• Audience engagement and community centred journalism.
• Journalism technology, innovation, and digital development.
• Newsroom leadership and organisational change.
• Long term reporting projects that require deeper research and subject expertise.
• Development of new journalism ventures and approaches to news production.
• Reporting on education, public policy, health, medicine, technology, the environment, transportation, sports, and international affairs.
Applicants are not restricted to these areas. The programme encourages projects that address meaningful questions, build professional capacity, or explore new possibilities for journalism.
Applicants must meet the following general requirements:
• Have at least five years of professional experience.
• Be currently working in journalism for a news organisation or as an independent journalist.
• Work in a recognised area of journalism, such as reporting, editing, data analysis, visual storytelling, audio production, audience engagement, design, development, or journalism entrepreneurship.
• If not employed as a full time journalist, demonstrate that the majority of their professional work is in journalism.
• Propose a meaningful professional development project or journalism idea suitable for the fellowship.
• Be prepared to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the duration of the in person programme.
• Attend the required seminars, workshops, and fellowship activities.
• Make the fellowship the primary professional focus during the programme.
Public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, public advocates, and applicants seeking a university degree are not eligible under the general fellowship criteria.
Applicants should consult the official application instructions for the requirements that apply to their applicant category. The application process includes explaining their professional background, journalism interests, and proposed project.
Prepare to provide the following information and supporting materials as requested in the application:
• Professional background and journalism experience.
• Information about current employment or independent journalism work.
• A personal statement explaining professional goals and reasons for applying.
• A description of the proposed journalism project or area of study.
• An explanation of the skills, knowledge, or expertise the applicant hopes to develop.
• Relevant supporting information requested through the official application portal.
Knight Wallace Fellowships are intended for accomplished journalists who can make effective use of a dedicated period of professional study and project development.
The selection process considers the applicant's journalism experience, professional interests, proposed project, and potential to benefit from the fellowship. Wallace House also seeks to build a cohort representing a variety of journalism specialties, geographic regions, professional backgrounds, and news organisations.
A strong application should clearly explain the importance of the proposed project, the questions it will address, and how the fellowship will help the applicant advance their work. Applicants should demonstrate that they have realistic development goals and can make productive use of the programme's academic resources, workshops, and professional network.
International finalists are typically interviewed in January and February to allow time for visa arrangements. US finalists are typically interviewed in April. International fellowship offers are expected by mid February 2027, while offers to US applicants are expected by early May 2027.
University of Michigan
Wallace House Center for Journalists
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