About this opportunity
Journalists are short of two things, and the Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship hands over both: time and money. Run by the Wallace House Center for Journalists at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, it takes a small cohort of up to 19 fellows away from daily deadlines for an eight month academic year from late August through April, so a reporter can go deep on a long project, fix something broken in their newsroom, or build the journalism venture they have been circling for years.
For African journalists the point worth reading twice is that this fellowship has its own international track rather than an afterthought. Up to six international colleagues typically join ten to twelve U.S. journalists in each class, international finalists are interviewed in January and February specifically to leave room for visa processing, and offers go out by mid February 2027. You apply as an international applicant if you are not a U.S. citizen, even if you work in the United States or for an American news organisation, and a green card does not count as citizenship. Applications uploaded by international journalists into the U.S. portal are not considered, which is the single easiest way to lose your place in the queue.
The money is real and the ask is honest. A USD 85,000 stipend plus USD 5,000 for relocation is paid monthly from August through April, and Wallace House covers health insurance, course auditing and the required workshops and fellowship activities, with housing help for anyone moving. What they want in return is writing that is yours, since Wallace House requires applicants to write their own submissions without any support from artificial intelligence, and says so plainly for applicants who work in English as a second language. International applications close on 1 December 2026, and the 2027/2028 academic year begins in late August 2027 with fellows expected in Ann Arbor by mid August.
What you receive
- A USD 85,000 stipend plus USD 5,000 for relocation expenses, distributed monthly from August through April
- Health insurance, auditing of university courses and participation in required workshops and fellowship activities paid for by Wallace House
- An eight month programme of immersive study away from daily deadlines, running from late August through April
- Access to the faculty and resources of the University of Michigan across its schools and departments
- Private seminars with newsroom leaders, change agents and world renowned experts for candid, off the record conversations
- Workshops that sharpen professional skills and leadership ability
- International travel that brings context to the political, economic and social forces shaping news coverage
- Individual relocation support and help finding and securing housing to meet each fellow's needs
- Spouses and partners are invited to take part in fellowship activities and to audit university courses
- A place in a class of up to 19 fellows drawn from all facets of journalism
Who can apply
- Accomplished mid-career journalists and journalism strategists who want to spend an academic year on a journalism project
- Non U.S. citizens apply on the international track, even if they work in the United States or for an American journalism entity
- U.S. citizens apply on the U.S. track even if they work in another country or for a non U.S. journalism entity, and a green card is not the same as citizenship
- Applicants must create a login on the application platform, since the entry is made up of two parts and only Phase One is required at this stage
- Typically up to six international colleagues join ten to twelve U.S. journalists in each cohort
- Fellows must maintain residency in Ann Arbor for the fellowship, attend all programme seminars and events, and make the fellowship their primary professional focus
Who should not apply
- International applications uploaded under the U.S. application portal are not considered
- Wallace House requires applicants to write their own submissions without any support from artificial intelligence, including applicants for whom English is a second language
- The separate Great Lakes Local News Fellowship is restricted to U.S. journalists building or growing local news outlets in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Wisconsin
- Work samples must be recent, from the past three years, or from the past two years for photography, video and audio
Documents to prepare
- A resume covering all relevant positions held since completing formal education, your educational background and professional awards received
- A journalism project proposal of no more than 500 words, plus a summary of the same project in 60 words or less
- A personal statement of up to 1,500 words on what inspires you as a journalist, your life experiences, professional interests and core ethical values
- Three work samples, which may cross more than one medium, with publication dates for print and digital, captions showing when and where photographs were published, and a total viewing or listening time of no more than 30 minutes for video and audio
- A statement of no more than 500 words describing job responsibilities and approach for editors and managers, who may also submit stories or projects with a description of their role
- English translations where work is in another language, and URLs that remain active throughout the application review period
- Reference information supplied through the application form
How to apply
- Read the fellowship description at https://wallacehouse.umich.edu/knight-wallace/about/ and the guidance on the how to apply pages at https://wallacehouse.umich.edu/knight-wallace/how-to-apply/
- Open the international applicant guidance at https://wallacehouse.umich.edu/knight-wallace/how-to-apply/international-applicants/ before you write anything, since it lists the required uploads and formats
- Create an OpenWater account and choose the correct application form for your citizenship at https://knightwallacefellowshipapplications.secure-platform.com/site
- Complete Phase One with general information, demographic details and questions about your journalism background, saving as you go since the form can be returned to before final submission
- Upload your resume, your journalism project proposal, your personal statement and three work samples in the accepted formats
- Attend a conversational webinar with Knight-Wallace alumni if you want to hear how the year actually runs before you submit
- Submit your international application by 1 December 2026, the closing date for non U.S. applicants for the 2027/2028 academic year
Selection process
- Applications for the 2027/2028 academic year opened in October 2026
- International applications close on 1 December 2026 and U.S. applications close on 1 February 2027
- Care goes into assembling classes that represent a diversity of experience, journalism specialty, geographic region, and the type and size of news organisation
- International finalists are interviewed in January and February to allow time for visa processing after selections are made
- Offers for international Knight-Wallace Fellows are extended by mid February 2027, and U.S. offers follow by early May 2027
- The 2027/2028 academic year begins in late August 2027, with fellows expected to arrive in Ann Arbor by mid August
Sources and verification
Related opportunities
- Deutsche Welle International Journalism Traineeship 2028/2029, 12 Paid Places in Bonn and Berlin
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- Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation at Harvard, a Nine-Month Paid Fellowship Open to International Journalists
The Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, together with the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society, is taking applications for the Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation, a nine-month paid fellowship at Harvard beginning around mid-August 2027 for a working journalist who wants a year to develop a specific project on journalism’s digital transformation. It is the only named fellowship the foundation currently designates, and its own page states that it is open to both U.S. and international applicants, so a Nigerian or any other non-U.S. citizen journalist applies in the international category, including one already working in the United States. Every applicant needs at least five years of full-time media experience, and the international round closes on 1 December 2026. A fellow receives a stipend of USD 87,500 paid over nine months to cover living costs, with separate health insurance and child-care supplements.
- John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships 2027/2028 at Stanford University, USD 135,000 Stipend
A nine month, fully funded fellowship at Stanford University for U.S. and international journalists, including those in operations, strategy and journalism support roles, who have at least five years of professional experience. Fellows receive a USD 135,000 stipend, Stanford tuition and health insurance for themselves and accompanying dependents. Applications close 2 December 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific time.
Questions applicants ask
Which application form should an African journalist choose?
The international one. Wallace House is explicit that if you are not a U.S. citizen you apply as an international applicant even if you work in the United States or for an American journalism entity, and international applications uploaded in the U.S. portal will not be considered.
I hold dual citizenship with the United States. Which portal do I use?
Email apply2kwf@umich.edu for guidance on which portal to use, since the fellowship routes U.S. citizens and international applicants onto different closing dates and review panels.
When will I hear back?
International finalists are interviewed in January and February, and offers to international Knight-Wallace Fellows are extended by mid February 2027. U.S. offers follow by early May 2027.
How much is the stipend and what else is paid for?
A USD 85,000 stipend plus USD 5,000 for relocation expenses, distributed monthly from August through April for living costs. Wallace House pays the costs of health insurance, auditing courses and taking part in required workshops and fellowship activities.
Can I use artificial intelligence to write my application?
No. Wallace House expects and requires that applicants write their own submissions without any support from artificial intelligence, and states that this also applies to applicants for whom English is a second language.
How many fellows are chosen?
Up to 19 each year. Typically up to six international colleagues join ten to twelve U.S. journalists in the cohort.
Does my partner come with me?
Yes. Spouses and partners are invited to participate in fellowship activities and to audit university courses, and the fellowship provides individual relocation support and help securing housing.
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