A Fellowship to Pursue Ambitious Journalism Ideas

Our Knight-Wallace Fellowships offer accomplished journalists two rare commodities: time and resources. Journalists eager for growth and deeply committed to the future of journalism spend an academic year at the University of Michigan to access the resources of a world-class university and dive into a journalism project. Areas of focus can include but are not limited to sharpening professional skills, addressing a challenge facing your newsroom, digging into data and research for a long-term reporting project, or developing a journalism venture.

We select up to 19 Fellows from all facets of journalism who are ready to take the next career step and join us in Ann Arbor for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

• Eight-month program from late August through April of immersive study away from daily deadlines
• Individual journalism projects designed to develop topical depth, gain new skills, address a newsroom challenge or explore a journalism venture
• Specialized resources and access to faculty at the University of Michigan
• Private seminars with newsroom leaders, change agents and world-renowned experts for candid, off-the-record conversations
• Workshops to sharpen professional skills and leadership ability
• International travel to bring context to the political, economic and social forces shaping news coverage
• $85,000 stipend plus $5,000 for relocation expenses distributed monthly from August through April for living expenses (costs for health insurance, auditing courses, and participating in required workshops and fellowship activities paid for by Wallace House)
• Individual relocation support and assistance with finding and securing housing to meet each Fellow’s housing needs
• Spouses and partners are invited to participate in fellowship activities and audit university courses as well

Invitation to learn more at our conversational webinar

Considering applying for a fellowship? Join a conversational webinar with Knight-Wallace alumni and hear about their year in Ann Arbor. They’ll answer your questions about the fellowship and application process and share insights about the Knight-Wallace Fellowship experience.

More information on webinar dates, time and alumni presenters here.

A Specialized Fellowship to Revitalize Local News in the Great Lakes

In addition to our traditional Knight-Wallace Fellowships, the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship is a specialized fellowship designed to support journalists revitalizing local news in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Great Lakes Local News Fellows join the Knight-Wallace Fellowship class and develop actionable projects for and with their news organization.

Fellowship support includes access to experts in entrepreneurship, organizational development and sustainability, technology, and civic engagement, plus post-fellowship consulting to aid in developing and implementing entrepreneurial journalism projects.

More about the Great Lakes Local News Fellowship and how to apply »

Application Deadlines

Applications for the 2027-2028 acacemic year are now open.

The deadline for international applicants to apply for the 2027-2028 academic year is December 1, 2026.
The deadline for U.S. applicants to apply for the 2027-2028 academic year is February 1, 2027.

International fellowship offers are extended by mid-February and U.S. fellowship offers are extended by early May, giving Fellows ample time to plan a move to Ann Arbor in mid-August. As relocating for the fellowship does take some planning, we provide assistance with finding housing based on the needs of individual Fellows.

More information on applying for the Knight-Wallace Fellowship »