U.S. journalism has an ongoing diversity crisis. There simply are not enough reporters and editors of color to inform, engage and accurately reflect our society.
To combat this, the National Press Foundation’s Widening the Pipeline Fellowship will provide expenses-paid trainings in Washington, D.C., as well as virtual workshops to support journalists of color staying in – and leading – the newsrooms of tomorrow.
NPF welcomes U.S.-based journalists from any medium with seven years or less of professional newsroom experience to participate in this career-defining cohort.
In Widening the Pipeline’s inaugural year, 25 journalists from across America spent a year receiving skills training, mentoring and peer support to help them navigate America’s newsrooms, where people of color comprise less than a quarter of positions.
They learned from journalism veterans, including Ron Nixon, VP of News and Investigations with the Associated Press; Catalina Camia, Deputy Director at Bloomberg Law; Politico’s Senior Managing Editor Sudeep Reddy; The Atlantic columnist and author Jemele Hill; and veteran journalist Ray Suarez.
As a result of being paired with mentors like NPR’s Senior Editor for Investigations Cheryl Thompson, PBS Newshour Deputy Editor Kenichi Serino and Reckon Editor R. L. Nave, half of the first cohort of fellows either landed new jobs or received pay raises. All the fellows say the program renewed their commitment to an industry that urgently needs their diverse lived experiences shaping coverage.
No one can describe the value of the training better than the fellows themselves:
More information and photos from the first year’s program are here.
This competitive fellowship is open to U.S.-based reporters and editors working in print, television, radio or online media. We greatly value diversity in all our programs and applicants from across the nation are encouraged to apply. The foundation will cover airfare, hotel, transportation to the airport and most meals for the two in-person trainings in Washington, D.C., held in February and December 2024, each of which will not exceed four days in length. A virtual training day or session(s) will be held every four to six weeks between the in-person workshops, in addition to a virtual orientation in January 2024.
The application deadline is Nov. 5, 2023.
Applicants must submit a letter from their supervisors saying they will be permitted to attend all sessions.
2024 session dates: Jan. 12 (virtual), Feb. 13-16 (Washington, D.C.), March 11 (virtual), April 8 (virtual), May 13 (virtual), June 10 (virtual), July 8 (virtual), Sept. 9 (virtual), Oct. 7 (virtual), Nov. 12 (virtual), Dec. 8-11 (Washington, D.C).
This fellowship is funded by the Evelyn Y. Davis Foundation and Lenovo. The National Press Foundation is solely responsible for its content.
