Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships 2026–2027 – University of Michigan | Fully Funded In-Person Fellowship for U.S. and International Journalists

Applications are actually open for the 2026–2027 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships on the University of Michigan’s Wallace House Center for Journalists. This prestigious, absolutely in-person fellowship helps mid-career journalists from world wide with a minimal of 5 years of skilled expertise. The fellowship provides an immersive educational 12 months in Ann Arbor, permitting journalists to pursue unbiased initiatives, increase their expertise, and interact in deep reflection and skilled progress whereas turning into part of a distinguished international community.

This alternative is designed for working journalists—together with reporters, editors, information specialists, photographers, audio producers, and newsroom innovators—who’re in search of time and house free from every day deadlines to discover new concepts in journalism. The Knight-Wallace Fellowships prioritize range of expertise, self-discipline, information format, geography, and newsroom dimension. Fellows take part in a rigorous program that features seminars, college engagement, cultural experiences, and neighborhood constructing.

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Introduction and Background

The Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships are among the many world’s most revered packages for mid-career journalists. Hosted by the Wallace House Center for Journalists on the University of Michigan, the fellowship gives journalists with the chance to step away from their skilled routines and pursue educational and skilled progress throughout a full educational 12 months in Ann Arbor.

The fellowship emphasizes:

• Independent study
• Professional growth
• Cross-disciplinary engagement
• Exploration of new types of storytelling
• Strengthening information management and innovation

For the 2026–2027 educational 12 months, functions are open to each U.S. journalists and worldwide journalists, every with distinct application portals and deadlines. Applicants should apply by the right pathway based mostly on citizenship, not office location.

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Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for the Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships:

• Applicants should have a minimal of 5 years of skilled expertise in journalism.
• Applicants should at the moment be working in some facet of journalism for a information group or as an unbiased journalist.
• Full-time or majority-time work should be in journalism.

Eligible sorts of journalists embody:

• Reporters
• Editors
• Data journalists
• Visual journalists
• Photojournalists
• Audio producers
• Designers
• Developers
• Engagement specialists
• Journalism entrepreneurs
• Organizational change leaders

Who Is NOT Eligible

• Full-time lecturers
• Public relations or communications writers
• Lobbyists
• Internal commerce writers
• Public advocates
• Individuals in search of a level

Citizenship Rules

• U.S. residents should apply as U.S. candidates, even when they:
  • Work overseas
  • Work for a non-U.S. information group
• Non-U.S. residents should apply as worldwide candidates, even when they:
  • Work within the United States
  • Work for a U.S.-based information group
• A Green Card shouldn’t be equal to citizenship.

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Program Terms

The Knight-Wallace Fellowship is in-person and requires full-time residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Fellows should:

• Reside in Ann Arbor for the total fellowship 12 months
• Attend all seminars and required occasions
• Make the fellowship their major skilled focus
• Obtain employer consent for a go away of absence (if at the moment employed in a newsroom), with the understanding that they are going to return to their function the place relevant

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Timeline & Key Dates

Applications for 2026–2027 are actually open.

Deadlines

• International applicant deadline: December 1, 2025
• U.S. applicant deadline: February 1, 2026

Notification Period

• International fellows: Offers prolonged by mid-February 2026
• U.S. fellows: Offers prolonged by early May 2026

Fellowship Start

• Arrive in Ann Arbor: Mid-August 2026
• Academic 12 months begins: Late August 2026

Selection Process

The Knight-Wallace Fellowship class is curated to replicate:

• Journalistic range
• Range of specialties
• Variety of newsroom sorts and areas
• Balanced illustration of worldwide and U.S. journalists

Typical cohort construction:

• Up to 6 worldwide fellows
• Ten to 12 U.S. fellows

International finalists are interviewed in January–February
U.S. finalists are interviewed in April

U.S. Applicants – Additional Opportunities

For 2026–2027, U.S. journalists are eligible for two specialised tracks:

• Great Lakes Local News Fellowship
• Arts Journalism Fellowship

Applicants for these tracks use the final application however should embody essays addressing the precise specialty necessities as described on the Wallace House About web page.

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Application Process

The application course of differs for worldwide and U.S. candidates.

International Applicants

International functions are open. Applicants should full Phase One solely at this stage.

What to Prepare

Applicants should create a login within the on-line application portal to start Phase One. The system permits saving progress.

If unable to entry the portal, candidates are inspired to contact this system.

Phase One Requirements

General Information

Applicants should present:

• Contact data
• Demographic data
• Details about journalism background

Applicants should add:

1. Résumé
2. Journalism Project Proposal (as much as 500 phrases + 60-word abstract)
3. Personal Statement (as much as 1,500 phrases)
4. Three Work Samples

Journalism mission proposals ought to:

• Describe what the applicant hopes to realize
• Identify educational areas of curiosity on the University of Michigan
• Be genuine and aligned with the applicant’s objectives

AI-generated submissions usually are not allowed. All paperwork should be written by the applicant.

Work Sample Requirements

• Three samples from the previous three years
• Accepted codecs embody print/digital, pictures, video, audio, graphics
• Translations required for non-English work
• Editors should submit an announcement of obligations (as much as 500 phrases)

References

References are not required in Phase One.
Applicants solely enter reference data.
References will probably be contacted provided that the applicant advances to Phase Two.

U.S. Applicants

U.S. journalists apply by the OpenWater platform.

Applicants could save their progress and return at any time earlier than closing submission.

Required Documents (U.S. Applicants)

U.S. candidates should add:

1. Resume
2. Journalism Project Proposal
3. Personal Statement
4. Work Samples (similar necessities as worldwide candidates)

All submissions should be written with out AI help, together with for non-native English audio system.

References (U.S. Applicants)

Two skilled references should be listed:

1. One skilled reference (previous or current supervisor/colleague)
2. Current rapid supervisor, confirming {qualifications} and granting go away

Reference types are robotically emailed.
Reference deadline: February 7, 2026

Applicants can monitor reference standing by their OpenWater account.

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Links

All hyperlinks must be embedded as supplied:

The Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships on the University of Michigan provide a transformative alternative for mid-career journalists from world wide. With a concentrate on skilled progress, educational exploration, and cross-disciplinary studying, this system gives an unparalleled atmosphere for journalists in search of to deepen their experience, pursue significant initiatives, and interact with a world neighborhood.

With clear deadlines, structured application phases, and complete pointers, this fellowship stays one of journalism’s most revered avenues for advancing impactful storytelling and strengthening the long run of the occupation.

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