The Canadian Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration (CERC Migration) at Toronto Metropolitan University, a global hub for research, policy, and engagement on migration and integration, in partnership with the Bridging Divides Journalism Fellowship, is accepting applications from experienced journalists for a one-month residency at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).
Designed for staff and freelance reporters who have covered immigration, politics, social issues, global affairs, or the economy, the fellowship offers a focused period away from the newsroom to deepen knowledge of migration and integration and to build direct connections with leading scholars and policy thinkers.
Selected fellows will receive a stipend totalling $5,000 CAD, which includes a travel allowance to help cover expenses related to their stay. During the residency, fellows will be assigned an academic host drawn from the CERC Migration or Bridging Divides research teams to support their interests and help facilitate research connections. Fellows will also have access to office space and the resources of the CERC Migration facility, and they will be encouraged to participate in CERC Migration’s events, workshops, and research activities to broaden their professional network.
While the programme emphasises learning and exchange, there is no expectation that fellows will produce stories about TMU during or after their residency; instead, the fellowship seeks to strengthen the links between journalism and academic research by creating space for mutual learning.
The residency must take place for 20 to 35 consecutive days between March 1 and November 30, 2026, excluding July and August. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of media experience and should be able to provide examples of work that address complex issues with an international scope.
Applications are due by November 1, 2025, and must be submitted online. Required materials include a condensed CV of up to four pages and a cover letter (maximum two pages) explaining the motivation for the stay, how the residency will benefit the applicant’s journalism, and how the applicant’s work aligns with either CERC Migration or Bridging Divides research themes and existing projects. Applicants should describe the activities they plan to undertake during the residency, including conducting field research, delivering a media-training presentation, hosting a workshop, or engaging with local organisations and stakeholders.
Applicants should also name a preferred and secondary academic host from the CERC Migration or Bridging Divides teams (note that Anna Triandafyllidou cannot be listed as a host, and assignments will depend on availability). Proposed dates for the visit must be provided, and applicants should upload 2–3 relevant work samples in PDF format or provide links for digital content an optional recommendation letter from a supervisor or editor is also permitted.
This fellowship presents a unique opportunity for journalists to sharpen their reporting on migration by engaging with researchers and policy experts in a collaborative environment.
For more information and to apply, please visit: https://www.torontomu.ca/cerc-migration/opportunities/journalism-fellowship/.
