The John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowships Programme is now accepting entries from journalists around the world for its 2026/2027 fellowship at Stanford University in the United States. The programme supports diverse journalists who are creating solutions to journalism’s most urgent problems and seeks applications from journalists who are eager to explore, identify, and test ideas for improving access to news and information that people need to create and sustain robust democratic communities.
Each year, JSK selects up to 20 fellows for a nine-month residential programme at Stanford. Fellows step away from the pressures of daily journalism to reimagine their craft, pursue solutions to the challenges facing the media industry, and develop new approaches that build stronger, more sustainable journalism worldwide.
JSK Fellows gain access to the university’s academic and creative resources from leading experts in technology and policy to innovation labs and interdisciplinary centres, while joining a global network of more than 1,000 journalism leaders in over 80 countries.
Throughout the duration of the programme, fellows will immerse themselves in exploration and renewal, have a time to pause, rethink, and redefine their approach to journalism, shifting focus from daily deadlines to long-term impact.
Each fellow will design a personal learning journey to strengthen leadership and newsroom culture, launch or grow innovative journalism initiatives, deepen reporting or expand audience engagement and build resilience and new media strategies.
Fellows benefit from access to Stanford’s exceptional academic and creative resources, individual coaching and customised professional development, a small, diverse, and supportive global cohort, as well as a lifelong connection to the JSK alumni network.
The fellowships offers a $130,000 stipend for the academic year, full Stanford tuition and health insurance, support for spouses, partners, and dependents, and assistance with housing and relocation.
Fellows are expected to reside at Stanford University in California from September through May, fully participate in workshops, discussions, and collaborative sessions, and share their insights and learnings with the broader JSK community.
The JSK Fellowships welcomes journalists and media professionals with at least five years of experience who are curious, innovative, and ready to explore journalism’s future, eager to collaborate and learn in a diverse, interdisciplinary environment, and committed to creating positive change in journalism and their communities.
Please note that JSK is not a degree programme and does not fund reporting projects, startups, or academic research.
Webinars for prospective applicants will be held on October 30 and November 12, 2025.
Applications for the 2026–27 JSK Fellowship open October 15, 2025, and close December 3, 2025 (Pacific Time).
Please visit this link: https://jsk.smapply.org/ to learn more and apply.
