California Local News Fellowship – Newsroom Hosts Application Now Open!

The California Local News Fellowship is again, and newsrooms throughout the state are invited to apply for the fourth cohort of this impactful program. This state-funded initiative goals to assist and strengthen native reporting, particularly in underserved communities. The application interval for the 2026-2028 newsroom cohort opened on November 18, 2025, and closes on December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PST.

Types of Fellowships Available

This 12 months, this system is happy to supply two varieties of fellows:

1. Reporting Fellows

• 25-30 fellowships might be supplied to early-career journalists.
• Newsrooms new to the fellowship program, in addition to those who have beforehand hosted fellows, are eligible to apply.
• Fellows will cowl varied beats based mostly on newsroom wants and group focus.

2. Editing Fellows

• In partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, this system is piloting a brand new one-year enhancing fellowship.
• Five enhancing fellowships might be awarded.
• This fellowship goals to coach and assist the subsequent technology of editors in California’s newsrooms.
• Newsrooms are eligible to host each a reporting and enhancing fellow.

Key Dates

• Application Period: November 18 – December 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PST
• Notifications: Late January 2026
• Fellowship Start Date: Early September 2026
• Fellowship End Date: Reporting Fellows (August 2028), Editing Fellows (August 2027)

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship program is searching for newsroom candidates from all areas of California, together with those who have beforehand hosted a fellow. To apply, your newsroom should meet the next standards:

• Track Record: A robust historical past of manufacturing authentic, native information that serves your group’s wants.
• Audience-Focused: An understanding of your viewers’s info wants and the need to satisfy them.
• Journalistic Integrity: Adherence to skilled journalistic ethics.
• Diversity and Inclusion: A dedication to fostering range and inclusion inside your group.
• Clear Role Proposal: A well-defined proposal for the way the man might be built-in into your newsroom and contribute to your mission.

This program is meant to strengthen the way forward for native journalism, particularly in underserved areas, and helps range inside the newsroom surroundings.

Application Details

• Newsroom Proposals: You might want to describe your newsroom, its editorial mission, and the way the man’s position will serve your group. If you’re a returning newsroom, chances are you’ll replace and submit your earlier application.
• Fellow Role: You should make clear how the man will assist each your newsroom’s work and their skilled growth. Proposals ought to align along with your editorial mission, so clear communication of your wants is vital.
• Eligibility for Returning Newsrooms: If your newsroom has beforehand hosted a fellow within the 2023-2025 or 2024-2026 cohorts, you’re eligible to apply once more. However, if you’re internet hosting a 2025-2027 fellow, you aren’t eligible for this cycle.

Important Notes

Drafts: You can save your application as a draft and return to it later. Be positive to save lots of your work!

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Why Participate?

This fellowship is a priceless alternative for newsrooms to not solely strengthen their staff with proficient, early-career journalists but in addition to put money into the subsequent technology of leaders in journalism. Through this initiative, your newsroom may help enhance native reporting, assist range, and deepen your engagement with underserved communities.

The application course of is open now, however time is working out! Don’t miss your probability to host a California Local News Fellow. Apply by December 15, 2025, and be part of a state-wide effort to bolster native journalism.

 

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