Nine-month professional fellowship at Stanford for journalists to explore innovation, leadership, and new ways to serve communities.
Program Snapshot
| Funding Type | Professional Fellowship |
|---|---|
| Study Level | Non-degree, full-time |
| Eligible Regions / Countries | Worldwide |
| Host Institution | Stanford University, California, USA |
| Focus | Journalism innovation, leadership, audience impact |
| Application Opens | Oct 15, 2025, 1:00 PM PT |
| Deadline | Nov 11, 2025, 1:00 PM PT |
Tip: Register on SMApply early and prep your short video and work sample before you start the form.
Overview
The John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowship lets mid-career journalists step away from daily deadlines to learn with a cohort, pursue bold ideas, and build leadership and resilience.
Fellows receive individual coaching and structured programming while accessing Stanford classes, labs, mentors, and the JSK network to strengthen journalism’s service to the public.
What the Fellowship Covers
- Stipend: $130,000 for the 9-month year (recent cohort benchmark)
- Tuition: Stanford tuition coverage for approved coursework
- Health Insurance: Coverage for fellows and eligible dependents
- Coaching & Workshops: Personalized leadership, innovation, and wellbeing support
- Access: Stanford classes, libraries, labs, events, mentors, and the global JSK alumni community
Eligibility
Professional
- Substantial full-time journalism experience; typically ≥5 years
- Newsroom, independent, or entrepreneurial journalism roles
Restrictions / Requirements
- Not open to PR, public information, content marketing, corporate comms, or full-time academia
- Strong English proficiency
- Fellowship is not a book or reporting grant; not a business accelerator
Focus Areas & Themes
- News product, sustainability, and business models
- Audience trust and engagement
- Journalism + technology, tools, and data
- Leadership and organizational change
- Wellbeing and resilience for journalists
- Entrepreneurial and collaborative experimentation
How to Apply
Submission channel: JSK SMApply.
Application Webinars
Hosted by JSK directors. Learn what they look for and how to prepare your application.
Application Timeline
- Opens: Oct 15, 2025, 1:00 PM PT
- Deadline: Nov 11, 2025, 1:00 PM PT
- Interviews/Selection: Late winter to spring
- Program Period: ~9 months during the academic year
Why It Matters
JSK equips journalists to build sustainable, community-centered journalism and to lead change in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem.
Contacts & Official Links
- Official site: jsk.stanford.edu
- Application portal: jsk.smapply.org
- FAQ: jsk.stanford.edu/become-a-fellow/faq
- Email: jskfellowships@stanford.edu