Below are frequently asked questions about applying for the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship.

I have an idea for a new journalism venture in the Midwest. Should I apply to the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship?

Journalism projects in the “ideas stage” are best suited for our traditional Knight-Wallace Fellowship. We encourage you to apply to our general applicant pool and pitch your idea.

What sorts of projects are a strong fit for the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship?

The Great Lakes Local News Fellowship is intended for projects that have begun to be implemented but need support to develop or expand. Examples of potential projects include –  but are not limited –  to crafting a business plan for a new local news site, developing a funding and revenue model, addressing a technical or distribution challenge, or designing community engagement strategies to rebuild public trust in journalism or reach underserved communities.

Do Great Lakes Local News Fellows need to reside in Ann Arbor, Michigan?

The Great Lakes Local News Fellowship is part of the overall Knight-Wallace Fellowships –  which is a residential fellowship program. Attending weekly seminars at Wallace House on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and auditing classes at the University of Michigan is a core part of this immersive, cohort-based experience. However, we understand that Great Lakes Local News Fellows – particularly those who are leading small newsrooms – may need to travel regularly to stay connected to their teams. Please be clear in your application about your specific situation and how often you would hope to travel if offered the fellowship.

Is the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship only for journalists and/or journalism strategists from newly launched media organizations?

We especially encourage entrepreneurial project proposals from applicants working for media organizations launched within the past five years. We are also very open to “intrapreneurship” projects from applicants working for long-standing local media organizations. These “intrapreneurship” projects should be designed to address a very specific community need.

My news organization is not well-known. Should I still apply?

Absolutely! The purpose of the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship is to help address the alarming decline of local journalism and the resulting breakdown in social cohesion necessary for informed, functioning communities. We seek to support journalists committed to rebuilding strong, inclusive local news outlets. These journalists need not hail from well-known organizations –  but rather from organizations of any size fostering community engagement, action and change.

Find FAQs about applying for our traditional fellowship here.