Become a fellow

Are you a journalist who believes in the power of a robust free press to sustain democracy and help build informed, equitable communities? Are you passionate about confronting the profound challenges facing journalism and democracy today? Are you eager to grow as a leader and help shape journalism’s future?  The John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowships at Stanford might be just what you’re looking for.

Our fellowship is designed for journalists who are committed to preserving democracy’s promise and are working to reimagine journalism. At JSK, we’re dedicated to equipping journalists with the tools, mindsets, and resilience needed to face these challenges head-on and lead effectively in an ever-changing media landscape.  

The ideal JSK Fellowship applicant is someone who:

• Believes in the press as democracy’s cornerstone: You understand that a free and independent news media is essential to giving people the information they need to engage fully in their communities and challenge systems of power.
• Is determined to confront today’s challenges: You’re motivated to address systemic issues such as misinformation, inequity and injustice, polarization, and the rise of anti-democratic forces. Ideally you’ve already been working to tackle any one of these or other problems in journalism.
• Is ready to lead with courage and innovation: You see the need for bold solutions to ensure journalism not only survives but thrives in these turbulent times.
• Values diversity and collaboration: You know that the most transformative conversations and ideas come from collaborations of people who are from varied backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. You’re eager to learn from and with a diverse cohort of peers.
• Is restless and dissatisfied with the status quo. You are ready to shake things up in service of becoming a better journalist and leader. You are eager to step away from the day-to-day demands of your journalism career to spend a busy 9 months using the resources JSK and Stanford provide to accelerate your professional and personal growth.

If you are committed to being a journalist who is a change-maker and believe your best work is yet to come, we welcome you to apply. Together, we can confront the challenges of today and build a stronger, more resilient future for journalism—and for democracy itself.

Application deadlines

The application deadlines for the 2025-26 fellowship year have passed.  

Application webinars

Each year, we host webinars in which our JSK directors answer questions about the program and the application process.  

Eligibility criteria

U.S. and international journalists working in news organizations, independent journalists, journalism entrepreneurs and journalism innovators are eligible for our program.

Applicants need to have at least five years of full-time professional journalism experience. We do not require applicants to have a college degree or experience in traditional newsrooms. (Work as a student journalist or summer intern is great experience but is not considered part of the five-year threshold.)

Our program is not open to people working in public information or public relations jobs, for trade and house newsletters or magazines, for government agencies, or in academic positions.

Our fellowship does not fund or support book or reporting projects, and we are not a business accelerator.

Benefits

As a JSK Fellow, you will benefit from:

• Individual coaching and customized workshops to help build the leadership resilience and mindsets needed to navigate and lead change.
• A purposefully designed cohort experience that fosters opportunities for meaningful and enduring personal and professional connections.
• The time and freedom to explore the intellectual offerings of a world-class university.
• Access to the worldwide JSK alumni network.
• A stipend of $125,000.
• Stanford tuition and Stanford health insurance for fellows and a health supplement if enrolling dependents in Stanford health insurance. We also provide advice on finding rental housing.

Expectations

Being a JSK Fellow is a full-time commitment.  You be asked to forgo other professional work to focus on the fellowship experience.  You will receive a monthly stipend and the ability to enroll in health insurance through Stanford for you and your dependents.

You will be expected to:

• Be in residence at Stanford during the academic year, from September to May.
• Dedicate yourself full-time to the fellowship.
• Attend weekly meetings with your cohort and biweekly meetings with your adviser as well as other occasional JSK events.
• Publicly share your work and insights throughout the year.
• Work collaboratively with people who offer a range of ideas, experiences and perspectives.