LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 for NextGen Journalists | $5,000 grant
The LaunchPad Fellowship 2024 is now accepting applications from next-generation journalists. This nine-month program offers early-career journalists from various media platforms the opportunity to develop in-depth reporting and storytelling skills, focusing on critical social justice issues in the United States.
Details:
Fellows will work independently to conduct research, interviews and other reporting/producing activities needed to complete their proposed project. They will be challenged to delve deeply into their selected issue; to explore its real and human impact on the nation’s historically marginalized communities; to expose the systemic drivers that contribute to the problem; and to explore possible remedies and solutions.
Eligibility:
They are looking for talented early-career journalists from diverse backgrounds who have a demonstrated commitment to journalism and community storytelling through the lens of racial equity and social justice. Those employed by a news organization, as well as freelance/independent journalists, are encouraged to apply.
Specifically, the ideal applicant will:
- Have at least three and no more than six years of professional journalism experience, either sequentially or cumulatively, in any medium (e.g., digital, print, video, audio, photo, multimedia).
- Demonstrate an interest in and commitment to covering social justice and equity issues and to reporting in underserved local communities.
- Have a publication plan. (You are required to provide a letter of support from your employer or, if a freelancer, a “letter of interest to publish” from a news outlet, before being accepted into the program.)
- Be committed to and practice ethical and principled journalism, which is accurate, fair and thorough.
- Demonstrate a serious intention to pursue a career in journalism.
- Apply as an individual—not as a team or on behalf of a news organization.
- Reside in the United States.
Program Benefits:
LaunchPad Fellows will receive:
- A $5,000 grant to offset living expenses while conducting their research and reporting.
- An intensive, three-day in-person learning/training experience.
- Skills-building webinars throughout the fellowship year.
- Nine months of professional/project mentorship and coaching.
Required Documents:
You would need the following to apply:
- A brief description of your proposed project.
- A letter of interest and/or a commitment to publish from an editor of a news outlet (e.g., your current employer or, if you’re an independent journalist, from a news outlet).
- A reporting/production plan and, if you have it, a budget.
- Three samples of published work (any medium).
- Two professional references.
- Your résumé.
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