Applications are open for the Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship 2025-2026. Named for the "mother of African-American journalism," the program was launched in 2022 to provide recent graduates, mid-career alums and former students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities with yearlong, salaried fellowships with full benefits in reporting, audience engagement and news product management.
About Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship
Opportunity Details
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellows will spend a year working in reporting, audience engagement and product management roles with full-time salaries and benefits, made possible by the generous support of Michelle Mercer and Bruce Golden. Fellows are embedded in their respective teams and receive mentorship and professional development. They also provide career coaching to prepare fellows for their path after their fellowship.
Benefits of Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship
- $1,500 merit bonus midway through the fellowship
- $1,000 professional development stipend, which previous fellows have used to do online courses or attend journalism conferences
- $480 work-from-home stipend and $480 wellness stipend ($960 total) paid over the course of the year
- $100/month for coworking space membership (optional)
- Mac laptop, which fellows keep after the fellowship ($1,300-$1,500 value)
- Access to the fellowship's hardship fund (up to $5,000 per fellow)
- Membership to the National Association of Black Journalists and attendance to their annual convention and career fair
- A mentor in their fellowship track through the Digital Women Leaders network
Fellows will also be eligible for most 19th employment benefits, including:
- Vacation Time Off (20 days per year)
- Sick Time Off (10 days per year)
- Personal Days (6 days per year)
- Paid Holidays (20 days in 2024)
- Paid Family Leave (100% up to 6 months)
- Caregiver leave (100% up to 4 months)
- 401(k) Plan (up to 3.5% matching on 6% contribution)
- Flexible Spending Plan (for qualifying medical or child care expenses)
- Health Savings Account
- Health, vision, and dental insurance (100% covered by The 19th for employee/60% for dependents)
- Long Term and Short Term Disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Company expense account
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship Requirements
- Applicants should be recent graduate (within two years of graduation), early-career (three to four years' experience) or mid-career alum (5-10 years' experience) of a Historically Black College or University;
- A graduating senior of a Historically Black College College or University with a graduation date prior to the anticipated fellowship start date of October 2024;
- An individual who attended a Historically Black College or University for at least two years, and either transferred or did not graduate;
- All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This can include conditional student/work visas, provided The 19th will not be required to take additional steps in sponsorship.
Eligible candidates should also have the following:
- Some relevant experience in their chosen fellowship track
- A genuine interest in growing their career in journalism
- Alignment with the 19th's values and community guidelines
Application Date and Process
When submitting an application, prospective fellows will need to submit the following:
- A cover letter explaining why you want to work at The 19th, how their mission aligns with your career goals and interests and what impact this fellowship program would have on your career goals
- Your résumé
- Relevant samples of your work
Click on the link to the application website to get started.
Application Deadline
31 March, 2025
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Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship
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