The McGraw Center for Business Journalism's fundamental objective is to foster the development of future business journalists by giving the new reporters training and skills they need to excel in the profession. The Program of McGraw Scholarships is one way of acquiring this mission. Since 2015, the program has given scholarships to many potential students in each class at the City University of New York's Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.
The McGraw Center also gives financial support to certain Newmark J-School students in the business concentration who conduct an internship at a media company each summer to root those studies in on-the-job experience.
Fellowship information
Jr. Center for Business Journalism of Harold W. McGraw grants experienced journalists grants of up to $15,000 and the editorial support they need to publish in-depth enterprise and analytical articles that offer a broad range of financial, economic, and business issues. Applicants don't have to be a business writer to apply; several of the program's past Fellows were generalists or covered beats like health care, education, or environmental topics. Others have concentrated on issues like economic inequity and corporate accountability.
The program accepts submissions in all media types — audio, text, and short-form video — both from freelance and staff reporters. It encourages those who combine formats to construct a multimedia package. The program seeks initiatives that address critical local or regional challenges and target fascinating national or worldwide stories or provide coverage of underserved populations or causes. Journalists of color and those of different backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply.
Applications are accepted twice a year. Spring Fellowship applications are due March 31. The deadline to apply for the Fall Fellowships is September 30. Anyone with an eligible project is free to contact the program through mcgrawcenter@journalism.cuny.edu.
What types of stories does the program encourage? Below are some examples of reports done by prior Fellows:
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Pandemic, Prosecutions Aside, Bribery Persists in Chinese Hospitals 100Reporters
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Palm oil labor abuses linked to world's top brands, banks Associated Press
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Hurricane fallout creates financial ruin for Puerto Rico's seniors with reverse mortgages USA Today and the Centro de Periodismo Investigativo
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Several years into BP settlement spending, the bulk of Mississippi's restoration work remains undone Mississippi Today
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Two Nations, One Aquifer: A series about water at the border Albuquerque Journal
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Company insiders are selling stock during buybacks and making additional profits when stock prices jump. And it's legal. Washington Post
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How the Norcross Political Machine Muscled in on Prime Real Estate in New Jersey's Poorest City WNYC & ProPublica
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When baby is due, genetic counselors seen downplaying false alarms Boston Globe and New England Center for Investigative Reporting
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The Problem with PLUS: How Parents Buckle Under the Weight of College Debt US News & World Report
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New Workers of the World: Capturing the voices of workers facing unprecedented change Bloomberg Businessweek
Many answers to questions can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the official page, including more information on the Fellowship's current Fellows and their projects. All of the stories published are linked on the Fellowship Stories website.
About the Fellowship
The McGraw Fellowship gives editorial and financial support to journalists who require more time and resources to complete a big investigative or enterprise piece that sheds new light on a critical business, financial, or economic problem. The program accepts submissions for in-depth text, audio, and short-form video. Currently, the program is unable to support long-form documentaries. It is important to note that the McGraw Fellowship is not a residency fellowship. Even when the pandemic isn't active, all McGraw Fellows operate from their own offices.
As mentioned previously, each project receives a stipend of up to $15,000 from the Fellowship. The actual sum will be determined by the length of time it takes to finish the project and the ongoing costs. Some of the funding may be used as a stipend for living expenses during the Fellowship by freelance journalists. Applicants should have demonstrated capacity to report and execute a complex task in their suggested medium and a solid background or writing knowledge on the subject of their project.
During the Fellowship, editorial oversight is provided by the McGraw Center. During the reporting period, it collaborates with the Fellows to develop their projects and frequently edit the finished stories. The program can also assist applicants in getting their pieces published in established print, audio, or digital channels.
Eligibility
Anyone with a minimum of five years of professional journalism experience is eligible for the Fellowship. Freelancers, reporters, and editors currently employed by a news organization or a journalism non-profit are eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Applicants should fill out the accompanying online form with a thoroughly-focused story suggestion of no more than three pages. Applicants should consider it a pitch, similar to what one would send to an editor at a newspaper, magazine, radio station, or digital outlet. It should provide enough preliminary reporting and proof to show that the story is credible. The proposal should emphasize what's fresh and remarkable about the story, why it's essential, and what impact it could have. The proposal should also have a list of notable pieces on the subject that have previously appeared elsewhere and how the suggested piece would differ. Applicants must consider including a brief description of their suggested reporting strategy and a schedule for completing the piece. Though it is not mandatory, if the applicants have a media outlet lined up for their story before applying, they should make this known in the application.
Applicants should also submit three journalism samples. Professionally published work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to tackle an in-depth story in the intended media should be included in the examples. The application should also include the applicant's most recent resume. No references are required at the time of application; however, finalists will be asked to give two editors or anyone acquainted with their work as references. Freelancers who have trouble collecting references should consult with the McGraw Center about other options.
Budget
At the time of application, no budget is necessary. Finalists will be required to offer an estimate of their budget at that time.
Final Thoughts
The McGraw Fellowship is an excellent opportunity for journalists with an outstanding idea for a high-impact story who find it hard to realize due to limited resources. It is supportive in both financial and experience means.
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