Walkley Opportunity Scholarship for aspiring Journalists in Australia

Funded by Ampol, the Walkley Opportunity Scholarship will provide two aspiring journalists of any age with an opportunity to work in a metropolitan newsroom for a 10-week placement. These placements are intended for individuals who identify as coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background.

Each host newsroom will provide support and guidance, including mentoring from an experienced journalist, to help the winner to:

• Build an understanding of newsroom and production processes.
• Publish content based on merit.
• Build industry connections.

Benefits

• One Scholarship winner will do their placement with AAP in Sydney, and the other winner will do their placement with SBS in Sydney.
• Each winner will receive a stipend of $10,000 to contribute towards living expenses and accommodation for the duration of the Scholarship.
• The Scholarship winners will each receive one return flight from their home location to Sydney to enable them to take up their placement. This will be organised and paid for by the Walkley Foundation.

Duration

• Placement dates will be agreed in consultation with each winner and must commence no later than 1 March 2024.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Individuals who have a demonstrated passion and commitment to journalism as a career. This might include having worked in regional, local, or community media in Australia or their home country, early-career freelancing, and periods of relevant work experience.
• Entrants must be: Australian citizens, permanent residents of Australia or able to work in Australia on an appropriate work visa.
• Applicants must be available to undertake the 10-week placement within 6 months of winning a Scholarship.
• This opportunity is intended for individuals who identify as coming from a socio-economically disadvantaged background.
• No employment relationship will exist between the recipient and the host newsroom, or between the recipient and the Walkley Foundation. The scholarship recipient will not be required to fill the position of an employee at their media host organisation. The host newsroom will not pay the recipient during the placement.
• The Scholarship winners will participate in tasks assigned to them by the newsroom where they do their scholarship placement.

For more information, visit Ampol.