Deadline: 13-Oct-2025
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism invites journalists with strong ideas for impactful stories that “Follow the Money” to apply for editorial and financial support. It is designed for those who need time and resources to produce significant investigative or enterprise pieces that offer fresh insight into important business, financial, or economic topics. Projects can be in-depth text, audio, or short-form video formats, but not long-form documentaries. Fellows work from their own offices rather than on-site residencies.
Each project can receive a grant of up to $15,000, depending on the time needed and expenses involved. Freelance journalists may use part of the funding as a living stipend. Applicants should have a proven ability to report and execute complex projects in their chosen medium, ideally with expertise in the subject area.
The fellowship is open to anyone with at least five years of professional journalism experience, including freelancers, reporters, and editors working at news organizations or journalism non-profits. Reporters and editors can apply on behalf of their organizations.
Applicants must submit a focused story proposal of no more than three pages through the online form, outlining the significance, novelty, and potential impact of the story. The proposal should include preliminary reporting, relevant background, how the piece differs from existing coverage, a reporting plan, and a completion timeline. Having a media outlet in place is not required, but if secured, it should be mentioned.
Submissions must also include three samples of professionally published journalism demonstrating the applicant’s ability to handle in-depth stories, along with an up-to-date resume. No references are required initially, but finalists will need to provide two references from editors or others familiar with their work. Freelancers who may have difficulty obtaining references can discuss alternatives with the McGraw Center.
For more information, visit Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Center for Business Journalism.
