Deadline: February 13, 2026
Applications are open for the Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship Programme 2026-2027. The Journalist Fellowship Programme at the Reuters Institute is one of the world’s leading schemes for practising, mid-career journalists to take some time out from their day jobs to explore journalism in depth. The majority of the Journalist Fellows are fully-funded and they also receive a stipend to cover living and travel costs.
Through personal research, seminars, networking events and discussions with your peers, you will further your understanding of journalism, the news industry and your place in it. While you are in Oxford, you will work on a project that will be of direct impact to you, your career, your newsroom and the wider media industry, bringing in what you learn during your time in the fellowship. This is a programme for working journalists and editors who will return to journalism after spending a few months with Reuters Institute.
Benefits
- Most journalists on the programme are fully funded. Successful applicants get their fees covered and receive a monthly stipend of £2,000, which will be enough to cover the cost of accommodation, food, and general living expenses. They will also cover the cost of travel to and from the UK and any visa costs. Fellows should refrain from professional work during the fellowship.
- Additionally, some Journalist Fellows are employees of sponsoring organisations which run their own application process and selection criteria.
Eligibility
- To be considered for one of the journalist fellowships, you must have a minimum of five years’ journalistic experience, or in rare cases demonstrate the equivalent level of expertise. Freelancing is not a barrier to application, but they do not accept applications from those working in public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.
- Open to journalists from all over the world, including Europe, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, North America, and Latin America.
- Applicants must plan to return to journalism after completing their fellowship.
- English language proficiency is not tested, but you will be able to understand and join in discussions in English.
Application
You will need to prepare:
- A one-page project statement. What is the idea that you plan to spend your time with us working on? What can you spend time reading about? Who will you talk to? Save this as a PDF.
- A 150-word summary of your proposed project idea.
- A one-page motivation statement. Why are you ready for a fellowship? Why do you want to do this project at the Reuters Institute? What will you do with your project once you return to the newsroom? Save this as a PDF.
- A two-page CV. Describe your career and education history. You may include links to your work here if you like. Save this as a PDF.
- Two letters of reference. Ask two people who know you and your work to write a letter recommending you for a fellowship. These letters should include the referee’s full name, job title, their relationship to you, and their contact details. Each reference should not be longer than one-page. Save these as a PDF.
The size limits for all PDF uploads is 25 MB per document. You will then be able to submit these documents on our online application portal. No incomplete applications will be considered.
Applications are now open for fellowships beginning in October 2026, January 2027 or April 2027. Applications close on Friday 13 February 2026, 23:59 (UK time).
For more information, visit Reuters Institute.