Open Call for Journalists in Residence Program

The Journalists in Residence Program supports journalists worldwide by providing a 12-week academic and professional experience focused on understanding the relationship between politics, economics, and business. The program offers journalists an opportunity to study at the University of Chicago, engage with leading scholars, participate in research discussions, and strengthen their reporting on political economy issues.

The fellowship is designed for experienced journalists who want to improve their knowledge of economic systems, public policy, markets, and the interaction between political decisions and economic outcomes.

About the Journalists in Residence Program

The Journalists in Residence Program is an international fellowship initiative that brings journalists from different countries to Chicago for intensive learning, networking, and professional development.

The program aims to:

• Improve journalists’ understanding of political economy and business reporting.
• Encourage informed public discussion about economic and political issues.
• Create connections between journalists, researchers, academics, and policy experts.
• Strengthen the quality of journalism covering economic and political topics.

Participants become part of an international network of journalists and gain exposure to academic research, expert discussions, and professional opportunities.

Program Location and Duration

Selected journalists will spend approximately 12 weeks at:

University of Chicago, Hyde Park Campus, Chicago, United States

During the residency, participants will:

• Audit university courses related to economics, politics, business, and public policy.
• Attend Stigler Center events and academic discussions.
• Engage with University of Chicago faculty members and researchers.
• Collaborate with journalists from different countries.
• Participate in professional networking activities.

The program provides an immersive environment for journalists to explore complex economic and political issues.

Fellowship Benefits and Financial Support

Selected participants receive financial assistance to support their participation in the program.

The fellowship benefits include:

• Economy-class airfare reimbursement to and from Chicago.
• Coverage of SEVIS and U.S. visa application fees.
• A stipend of USD 14,000 to support living expenses during the 12-week residency.
• Health insurance through the University of Chicago student or visitor insurance plan.
• Housing guidance for arranging short-term accommodation.
• A certificate of participation after successfully completing the program.

International participants should note that tax withholding of up to 14% may apply depending on U.S. tax regulations and applicable tax treaties.

Program Focus Areas

The Journalists in Residence Program focuses on strengthening reporting skills in areas such as:

• Political economy.
• Economic policy.
• Business and financial journalism.
• Government and market relationships.
• Public policy analysis.
• Global economic challenges.
• The impact of political decisions on economies and societies.

The program helps journalists develop deeper analytical skills for reporting complex economic issues.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is open to journalists from around the world who meet the following requirements:

Eligible applicants should:

• Be professional journalists with relevant work experience.
• Work in any form of media, including print, digital, television, or radio.
• Have strong English language skills.
• Demonstrate interest in political economy and business reporting.
• Show commitment to improving public understanding through journalism.

Applicants from different media backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Eligible Journalism Fields

The program welcomes journalists working in areas including:

• Economic journalism.
• Business reporting.
• Political reporting.
• Public policy journalism.
• International affairs reporting.
• Financial news reporting.
• Investigative journalism related to economic issues.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application package containing:

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The CV should include:

• Professional journalism experience.
• Previous publications.
• Employment history.
• Academic background.
• Relevant achievements.

Personal Statements

Applicants must provide statements explaining:

• Why they want to participate in the program.
• Their professional goals.
• How the fellowship will improve their journalism.
• Their interest in political economy.

Recommendation Letters

Applicants must submit:

• Two recommendation letters.
• Letters must be submitted directly by recommenders through the designated application portal.

Published Work Samples

Applicants must provide:

• Three published news articles.

For articles not written in English:

• Original articles must be submitted.
• English translations must also be provided.

For television or radio journalists:

• Submit links to video or audio reports.
• Provide English transcripts in a PDF or Word document.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Prepare all required documents, including CV, personal statements, recommendations, and published work samples.
2. Ensure all journalism samples demonstrate professional reporting experience and interest in economic or political issues.
3. Submit recommendation requests to selected referees through the required portal.
4. Complete and submit the online application before the deadline.
5. Shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further evaluation.

Why This Program Matters

Economic and political decisions influence societies worldwide, but reporting these issues requires specialized knowledge and analytical skills.

The Journalists in Residence Program helps journalists:

• Understand complex economic systems.
• Improve evidence-based reporting.
• Build international professional networks.
• Connect academic research with public communication.
• Produce stronger journalism on issues affecting communities and economies.

By supporting informed journalism, the program contributes to better public understanding of global economic and political challenges.

Tips for Strong Applications

Applicants can improve their chances by:

• Demonstrating professional journalism experience clearly.
• Choosing published articles that show strong analytical ability.
• Explaining specific learning goals for the fellowship.
• Highlighting previous reporting on economic, political, or business issues.
• Providing recommendation letters from professionals familiar with their journalism work.
• Showing how the program will create long-term impact in their career.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for the Journalists in Residence Program?

The program is open to journalists from around the world who have professional journalism experience, strong English skills, and an interest in political economy and business reporting.

How long is the Journalists in Residence Program?

The fellowship lasts approximately 12 weeks and takes place at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.

What financial support does the program provide?

Selected journalists receive airfare reimbursement, visa-related fee support, a USD 14,000 stipend, health insurance support, housing guidance, and a participation certificate.

Do applicants need to be based in the United States?

No. The program accepts applications from international journalists worldwide.

What documents are required for the application?

Applicants must submit a CV, personal statements, two recommendation letters, and three published journalism samples.

Can television and radio journalists apply?

Yes. TV and radio journalists can apply by submitting links to their reports along with English transcripts.

What topics should applicants focus on in their journalism background?

Applicants should demonstrate interest or experience in areas such as political economy, business reporting, economics, public policy, or related fields.

Conclusion

The Journalists in Residence Program provides a unique opportunity for global journalists to expand their understanding of political economy through academic learning, professional networking, and collaboration at the University of Chicago. The fellowship helps journalists develop stronger analytical reporting skills and create more informed coverage of economic and political issues affecting societies worldwide.