RFPs: Higher Ed Media Fellowship (US)

Journalists and the media play a critical role in shaping public understanding of the role of higher education in shaping the next generation of citizens. However, the resources needed to produce high-quality reporting on pressing education issues have been declining for years. Higher Ed Media Fellows are journalists interested in diving deeper into underreported issues in higher education.

The Fellowship currently focuses on issues related to postsecondary Career and Technical Education (CTE), with topics including data sourcing and analysis, best practices for covering underrepresented communities, and the intersection of postsecondary education and civic learning.

Funding Information

• Each ECMC Foundation Fellow in the Higher Education Fellowship program will be awarded $10,000—$5,000 as a stipend and $5,000 towards the reporting project.
• The six-month, non-residential program begins with an expense-paid postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) symposium.
• The Spring 2025 Symposium will be hosted in late April 2025 for selected Fellows.
• Following the symposium, Fellows must complete a reporting project, such as a special report or series.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Fellowship is open to U.S.-based journalists who are education beat reporters or those whose work experience includes reporting on education and associated workforce development, social, or public policy issues.
• Potential Fellows will be early- and mid-career journalists interested in deepening and expanding their understanding of postsecondary education with a specific emphasis on CTE. Print, radio, TV, multimedia, and online editors and journalists from local and national publications and digital-only news platforms are eligible, as are freelancers who target mainstream/corporate and independent media outlets.

Application Requirements

• The Institute for Citizens & Scholars uses an online application portal which requires an account. There is no fee to apply. If you bookmark the portal, you can log in any time to make changes.
• Once you’ve created an account, the online application includes basic personal and professional information, a statement of interest, an area to link to three work samples, and prompts to upload and request your supplemental items.
• Statement of interest: In 500 words or less, please tell them your interest in pursuing this Fellowship opportunity and why you would be a good candidate.
• Three (3) work samples: Please provide links to and PDF copies (via the supplemental items PDF) of three work samples published within the past five years. These samples should be your best recent work. Links will be submitted as a part of the application, PDF versions will be included in the supplemental items packet that you will upload.
• A complete Higher Education Media Fellowship application consists of these required components:
  • A submitted online application;
  • One letter of recommendation; and
  • A supplemental items PDF including a résumé and full work samples. Do NOT upload PDF in portfolio format.

For more information, visit Institute for Citizens & Scholars.