LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists ($5,000 grant)

Applications are open for the LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

Get latest opportunities in your email

About LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists

Opportunity Details

The nine-month fellowship program is designed for early-career journalists from all media platforms who have the skills, expertise and desire to tackle an ambitious in-depth reporting/storytelling project on a critical social justice issue facing the U.S.

Fellows will work independently to conduct research, interviews and other reporting/producing activities needed to complete their proposed project. They will be challenged to delve deeply into their selected issue; to explore its real and human impact on the nation's historically marginalized communities; to expose the systemic drivers that contribute to the problem; and to explore possible remedies and solutions.

Benefits of LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists

LaunchPad Fellows will receive:

  • A $5,000 grant to offset living expenses while conducting their research and reporting.
  • An intensive, three-day in-person learning/training experience.
  • Skills-building webinars throughout the fellowship year.
  • Nine months of professional/project mentorship and coaching.

LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists Requirements

They are looking for talented early-career journalists from diverse backgrounds who have a demonstrated commitment to journalism and community storytelling through the lens of racial equity and social justice. Those employed by a news organization, as well as freelance/independent journalists, are encouraged to apply.

Specifically, the ideal applicant will:

  • Have at least three and no more than six years of professional journalism experience, either sequentially or cumulatively, in any medium (e.g., digital, print, video, audio, photo, multimedia).
  • Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to covering social justice and equity issues and to reporting in underserved local communities.
  • Have a publication plan. (You are required to provide a letter of support from your employer or, if a freelancer, a "letter of interest to publish" from a news outlet, before being accepted into the program.)
  • Be committed to and practice ethical and principled journalism, which is accurate, fair and thorough.
  • Demonstrate a serious intention to pursue a career in journalism.
  • Apply as an individual- not as a team or on behalf of a news organization.
  • Reside in the United States.

Application Date and Process

  • Click on the link to the application website to apply.

You would need the following to apply:

  • A brief description of your proposed project.
  • Aletter of interest and/or a commitment to publish from an editor of a news outlet (e.g., your current employer or, if you're an independent journalist, from a news outlet).
  • A reporting/production plan and, if you have it, a budget.
  • Three samples of published work (any medium).
  • Two professional references.
  • Your résumé.

Application Deadline

12 July, 2024

Scholarship Application Portal

View details of LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists

Apply for LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists

Get latest opportunities in your email