National Press Club Journalism Institute Lewis Scholarship (US)

Benefits

• This Scholarship has an estimated value of $10,000 is awarded to one undergraduate student journalist of color each fall, spring, and summer semester.
• The scholarship will provide a stipend of $1,000 per month and free housing provided through Washington Intern Student Housing for the duration of the student’s internship, usually four months.

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible, an applicant must:
  • Be a currently enrolled college student of color in their third or fourth year of undergraduate study who is at least 18 years of age. (Graduating seniors may apply for this scholarship if their internship takes place in the semester immediately following graduation.)
  • Be enrolled in online classes at their college or university during their time in Washington, D.C. Recent graduates need not be enrolled nor would recipients of scholarships during the summer months.
  • Have a 3.0 grade-point average or higher.
  • Independently secure an on-site journalism internship in Washington, D.C. to take place during the semester they would receive the scholarship. (They strongly encourage applicants to submit their materials for the Lewis Scholarship at the same time they are applying for internships, rather than wait until they receive an internship notification.)
  • Provide a letter or email of acceptance showing they have secured an on-site journalism internship in Washington, D.C., to take place during the semester they would receive the scholarship. (This is not needed at the time of application.)
  • Plan to pursue a career in journalism.
• Students do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply but must attend an accredited college or university in the U.S. for this scholarship.

Criteria

• Your application will include:
  • A 500-word essay response to the question: What does diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism mean to you, and how do you plan to exemplify this in your journalistic work? Applicants must include their career plans in this essay.
  • Links to three published journalistic work samples. These should be working URLs that are not behind a paywall.
  • Three letters of recommendation from those familiar with your work ethic, academic success, and/or career interests (these recommendations cannot be from a family member).
  • A brief statement of financial need.
  • Your current academic transcript.
  • Your resume.
  • A letter or email of acceptance showing you have secured an on-site journalism internship in Washington, D.C., to take place during summer 2024.

For more information, visit National Press Club Journalism Institute.