Apply
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open
Eligibility
Qualified applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience and be currently working in some aspect of journalism for a news organization or as an independent journalist. We are looking for a diverse range of journalists, including reporters, editors, data experts, visual journalists, audio producers, engagement specialists, designers, developers, entrepreneurs and organizational change agents.
If you are not a full-time journalist, the majority of your work should be in journalism. We do not consider full-time academics, public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, public advocates, or those seeking a degree.
If you are a U.S. citizen, apply as a U.S. applicant, even if you work in another country or for a non–U.S. journalism entity. If you are not a U.S. citizen, apply as an international applicant, even if you work in the United States or for an American journalism entity. A Green Card is not the same as citizenship.
Terms
All Fellows awarded our in-person fellowship must maintain residency in Ann Arbor for the duration of the fellowship, attend all program seminars and events, and make the fellowship their primary professional focus. Applicants working in a newsroom are encouraged to obtain employer consent granting a leave of absence with the understanding that, upon completion of the fellowship and where applicable, the Fellow will return to their place of employment.
Timeline
Applications for the 2024-2025 academic year are now open.
- Deadline for international journalists to apply for the 2024-2025 academic year is December 1, 2023. International applications uploaded under the U.S application portal will not be considered.
- Deadline for U.S. journalists to apply for the 2024-2025 academic year is February 1, 2024.
- Offers for Knight-Wallace Fellowships for the 2024-2025 academic year will be extended in early May 2024.
- The 2024-2025 academic year begins Monday, August 26, 2024. Fellows are expected to arrive in Ann Arbor at least one week prior for fellowship orientation.
Selection
Great care goes into assembling classes of Fellows that represent a diversity of race, ethnicity, nationality, experience, journalism specialty, geographic region and type and size of news organizations. Typically, ten to twelve U.S. journalists are joined by six to eight international colleagues. International finalists are interviewed in January and February to allow time for visa processing after selections are made. U.S. finalists are interviewed in April.
We accept up to 20 Fellows each year. U.S. applicants may be considered for our coverage area fellowships but should not direct their study plans to fit one of the categories. If you are a U.S. applicant and your work or fellowship project aligns with one of our dedicated fellowships, the selection committee will consider that alignment.
If you are applying for the newly created Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellowship, you will be asked on the application form to describe your arts journalism work experience and detail how your journalism project is related to coverage of the arts.
Fellowships for U.S. applicants:
- Burton R. Benjamin Fellowship: Broadcast Journalism
- Daniel B. Burke Fellowship: General Studies
- Ford Fellowship: Transportation, Technology, Environment
- Benny Friedman Fellowship: Sports Journalism
- Knight Specialty Fellowships: Education, Medicine, Information and Technology, News Innovation
- Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellowship: Arts Journalism and Criticism
- Karsten Prager Fellowship: International Reporting
- William C. Richardson Fellowship: Public Policy, Philanthropy
- Time-Warner Fellowship: Newsroom Diversity
- Mike Wallace Fellowship: Investigative Reporting
Covid-19 Health and Safety
Wallace House adheres to the University of Michigan’s Covid-19 protocol put in place for all students, staff and faculty and guided by directives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Next Steps
- Review application and fellowship FAQ.
- Review preparing your international application or preparing your U.S. application.
- Fill out and submit the application form. Application forms are hosted on the OpenWater platform.