The Knight-Wallace Fellowships provide experienced journalists with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to enhance their expertise, generate new ideas, and address difficulties affecting the industry via study and collaborative learning at the University of Michigan. Sharpening professional abilities, solving a problem in your newsroom, digging into data and research for a long-term reporting assignment, or launching a journalism endeavor are all possible areas of focus.
There are 20 fellows selected for the Knight-Wallace Fellowship from various areas of journalism who are ready to take a step forward in their careers and join them in Ann Arbor for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
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Eight-month immersion program away from everyday deadlines.
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Individual journalistic initiatives aimed at developing thematic depth, new skills, addressing a newsroom difficulty, or pursuing a new enterprise in journalism.
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The University of Michigan has specialized resources and faculty access.
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For candid, off-the-record discussions, private seminars with newsroom innovators and world-renowned professionals are held.
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Workshops to improve professional abilities and ability to lead.
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A $75,000 stipend is paid monthly from August to April for living expenses. Wallace House covers the costs of auditing classes and participating in compulsory seminars and fellowship events.
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Health insurance is offered if the Fellow's employer does not contribute to insurance coverage.
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Spouses and partners are welcome to participate in fellowship events and audit university courses.
Fellowship offers will be extended to early May, providing Fellows with plenty of time to prepare for the fall semester commencement in Ann Arbor. Because relocating for the fellowship requires some forethought, the organization offers property listings from landlords who have previously rented to Knight-Wallace Fellows. Through our connections with local properties, we may also assist Fellows in finding alternate accommodation possibilities.
For additional information, please follow the link (https://wallacehouse.umich.edu/knight-wallace/how-to-apply/preparing-your-application/)
Eligibility
Journalists with U.S. passports are eligible to apply. Kight Wallace's foreign scholarships for the academic year 2022-2023 have already been awarded to international journalists who had already committed to the program but were unable to attend because of the pandemic. They want to open international applications for the 2023-2024 school year in the fall of next year.
Applicants for the in-person fellowship must have a minimum of five years of experience in journalism and be currently employed by a news organization or as an independent journalist in some capacity. Reporters, editors, data experts, visual journalists, audio producers, engagement specialists, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and organizational change agents are among the journalists sought by the initiative.
If you are not a full-time journalist, journalism should account for most of your work. Full-time academics, public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, public advocates, and those earning a degree are not eligible for the program.
Terms
All Fellows who are awarded an in-person fellowship must live in Ann Arbor for the term of the fellowship, attend all program seminars and events, and dedicate their professional time to the fellowship. Applicants working in newsrooms should seek permission from their employers to take a leave of absence with the understanding that, upon conclusion of the fellowship and if applicable, the Fellow will return to their previous job.
Selection
The selection of Fellows is monitored carefully to ensure that they represent a diverse range of color, ethnicity, nationality, experience, journalistic specialty, geographic location, and news organization type and size. Six to eight international colleagues usually accompany twelve American journalists. In April, the program interviewed U.S. finalists for their traditional fellowship. When offered, global finalists are interviewed in February. Early in May, fellowships are granted.
Each year, the program accepts up to 20 Fellows. Applicants from the United States may be considered for the program's coverage area fellowships, but they should not tailor their studies to one of the categories. The selection committee will consider your job or fellowship project if you are a U.S. applicant and it corresponds with one of our devoted fellowships.
Fellowships for U.S. applicants:
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Burton R. Benjamin Fellowship: Broadcast Journalism
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Daniel B. Burke Fellowship: General Studies
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Ford Fellowship: Transportation, Technology, Environment
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Benny Friedman Fellowship: Sports Journalism
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Knight Specialty Fellowships: Education, Medicine, Information and Technology, News Innovation
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Karsten Prager Fellowship: International Reporting
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William C. Richardson Fellowship: Public Policy, Philanthropy
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Time-Warner Fellowship: Newsroom Diversity
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Mike Wallace Fellowship: Investigative Reporting
Timeline
Until February 1, annually, U.S. journalists have to apply for the program.
In early May 2022, offers for Knight-Wallace Fellowships will be provided to U.S. applicants.
The academic year 2022-2023 begins on Monday, August 29, 2022. Fellows should arrive in Ann Arbor at least one week before their start date for fellowship orientation.
Candidate application preparation
The applicants need to create an account on Submittable. You can save your information and return it to the application at any time before your final submission. There is what the application will consist of:
General Information
Applicants are expected to attach a list of documents, including:
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contact information for yourself and your employer
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answer questions about the applicant's journalism achievements and disciplinary background
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demographic information
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documents including a professional profile
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journalism project proposal
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personal statement
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work examples
Uploaded Documents
In this section of the application form, candidates will be required to upload three documents:
Professional Profile – work history/education/awards
The applicant is expected to include all relevant positions held since completing formal education, education background, and professional awards received following the format indicated in the application in a single document.
Journalism Project Proposal
The applicant should provide a 500-word essay identifying what they hope to gain for their career. It would help if you thoroughly researched the University of Michigan and its many schools, departments, and resources. Then describe the projects that speak most to you and your interests within the scope of the University of Michigan. Sharpening professional abilities, solving a difficulty facing your newsroom, digging into data and research for a long-term reporting project, or launching a journalism venture are all examples of journalism projects.
Personal Statement
A personal statement of (1,500 words) will be required to be uploaded. This statement should look at your life experiences, professional interests, and fundamental ethical principles to see what motivates you as a journalist. How have these considerations influenced your decision to apply for a fellowship at this time in your career? What are your goals in a professional context, and how do you think the company will help you achieve them?
Work Samples
Three samples of your work are required. You may submit models from several media in the acceptable formats specified in the application. The samples must be from the last two years.
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Print/Digital: Dates of publishing should be included in samples.
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Include captions with images showing when and where they were published. These photos should have been taken within the last two years.
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Video and audio: A total of 30 minutes of viewing or listening time should be used to highlight work from the last two years. Please include a brief explanation of when each piece aired, as well as a statement detailing your role in it.
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Editors/Managers: Upload a brief statement (no more than 500 words) outlining your job responsibilities and working style. You may also contribute stories or projects, along with an explanation of your participation in the work, in addition to the statement.
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Include dates of publishing in the graphic/visualization.
Request for References
The two professional references will be requested to fill out the form on your behalf are expected to have the following information:
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Name
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Affiliation
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Title
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email address
The deadline for the references to complete the form is February 7 each year.
The two required references are:
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A professional reference from a previous or present supervisor or colleague
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A reference from the applicant's current supervisor elucidating your qualifications for a Knight-Wallace Fellowship. They should also attach a document granting a leave of absence to participate in the program.
Final Thoughts
This program is designed for journalists eager for growth and deeply committed to the future of journalism. If you consider yourself an eligible candidate, be sure to apply for the 2023-24 year fellowship and deepen your field knowledge.
For further information please click the "LINK TO ORIGINAL" button below.