World Journalist Fellowship

Last updated Jan 14, 2023

This Fellowship provides support to international journalists who enroll in one of our graduate programs in journalism at the NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. All of our programs are 3 semesters, except for Global and Joint Program Studies and Literary Reportage, which is 4 semesters:

Business and Economic Reporting
Cultural Reporting and Criticism
Global and Joint Program Studies
Literary Reportage
Magazine and Digital Storytelling
News and Documentary
Reporting the Nation and New York
Science, Health and Environmental Reporting
Studio 20: Digital First
The 2023 Fellowship covers tuition expenses and registration fees for two of the three or four semesters of the program. The fellow will also receive a stipend of approximately $16,000 for each of the two semesters of the fellowship.

Please see the special requirements below for applying for the World Journalist Fellowship. If you do not meet these qualifications, consider applying for admission outside the fellowship. All accepted applicants are considered for other scholarship awards from the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.

Requirements

Candidates must:

hold a non-U.S. passport
be fluent in English and at least one additional language
currently be an independent journalist or a journalist working for an independent news organization (corporate or institutional communications does not qualify).
have a minimum of two years’ experience at a print or electronic journalism publication by the start of the first day of the program. A combination of freelance journalism assignments equal to at least two years of full-time work will be considered. Internships and work for student publications do not count toward the two-year requirement. Public Relations and corporate communications experience do not qualify.
possess a four-year undergraduate degree or a three-year undergraduate degree plus one year of graduate work.
complete applications for both the fellowship and for admission to the M.A. program in Journalism
GRE: some graduate concentrations require the GRE and some make it optional. Check the list below:
Cultural Reporting & Criticism: Optional
Global & Joint Program Studies: Required
News & Documentary: Optional
Science, Health, & Economic Reporting: Required
Magazine and Digital Storytelling: Optional
Studio 20: Digital First: Optional
Literary Reportage: Optional
Reporting the Nation & New York: Optional
Business & Economic Reporting: Optional
TOEFL: take the TOEFL or IELTS. The TOEFL is waived only if English was an applicant’s language of instruction in his or her degree program.
For more information about the program, contact:

Graduate Administrative Aide
Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute
graduate.journalism@nyu.edu

Resources for International Students

Resources for international students at New York University:

Office of Global Services, OGS
GSAS Application Resource Center
Important Information for International Students
Standardized Test Information: TOFEL
FAQ

Do I need to have a place at NYU before I apply?
Journalists interested in the Fellowship must simultaneously complete (1) an application for the fellowship and (2) an application to the M.A. program at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. Applicants must select one of our nine concentrations that most interest them as a course of study. The Journalism Institute reviews fellowship applications in collaboration with NYU’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In order to be considered for the fellowship, you must be accepted into a graduate program to receive funds.

I’m based in the United States for part of the year. Can I still apply?
Applications are restricted to journalists reporting and working internationally for at least four consecutive years.

I’m not a full-time journalist. Can I still apply?
No. Applications are restricted to full-time journalists.

I have not worked for an English-language publication. Can I still apply?
The judges will consider applications from candidates who do not have work experience at an English-language publication. All candidates must demonstrate a high level of fluency in English.

If I am not offered the Fellowship, are other NYU scholarships available?
Beyond the Fellowship, the Journalism Institute has additional aid that it can offer to applicants who are offered admission. Although we cannot promise aid, Fellowship applicants will be considered for scholarships along with all other admitted applicants. Although these scholarships are not as generous as the World Journalism Fellowship, many students find that it enables them to study at NYU.

I’m worried I’m overqualified. Should I still apply?
Our curriculum is designed to help experienced journalists broaden their skills. In addition, some of our concentrations are defined by subject matter and enable students to deepen their expertise in the subject they are covering as journalists. Interacting with the other students from around the world, and studying and working in the culturally rich city of New York, has helped a number of students launch new careers and provided them with better opportunities to excel in a fast-growing and exciting area.

I’m worried I’m underqualified. Should I still apply?
The Fellowship is designed to help promising journalists fulfill their potential; while applicants with strong experience will have an advantage, journalists who demonstrate journalism smarts, drive, ambition and commitment stand an excellent chance as well. Judges will be looking for journalists with a passion for journalism and evidence that they can and will take full advantage of this opportunity. Work experience is a definite plus, but isn’t the only criterion.

When do I need to take the GRE / TOEFL / IELTS?
Check with the specific graduate concentration to find out if the GRE is required or optional. Although the deadline is January 15, 2023 for submission of the application, we recognize that GRE and TOEFL are given irregularly in various parts of the world. If you cannot schedule these tests by the January 15, 2023 deadline, please submit your application and then take the tests by January 24, 2023. Designate New York University’s Graduate School of Arts and Science (NYU GSAS) to receive the official report and indicate in your fellowship application essay that you are submitting a late score.

The Fine Print

Acceptance of the fellowship constitutes permission for New York University to use the Fellow’s name and likeness for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. All candidates grant NYU the right to use and publish their proper name and country and/or state of residence online, in print and any other media in connection with this program.

Timeline

When is the deadline for the fellowship application?
All applications must be received by January 15, 2023.

When will finalists be announced?
The fellowship recipient will be announced in late spring 2023, after they have been admitted and accepted New York University’s offer of graduate admission.

If I am chosen a Fellow, when must I commit to accept the Fellowship?
The deadline for accepting the Fellowship is generally April 15, 2023. The fellowship finalist will received detailed instructions in their offer letter.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Application Resource Center

Graduate study at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute is distinguished by the unique curriculum of each concentration, the remarkably low student-to-faculty ratio, and a vibrant intellectual community of peers, faculty, and visiting scholars.

Apply

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