Open Call: McGraw Fellowship Program for Business Journalism

The McGraw Fellowship Program is accepting applications from experienced journalists seeking funding to produce impactful investigative and enterprise reporting on business, finance, and economic issues. Fellows can receive up to $15,000 to support reporting expenses and, for freelancers, living costs while working on their projects.

About the Program

The McGraw Fellowship Program supports journalists who need additional time and financial resources to pursue ambitious investigative or enterprise reporting projects covering significant business, financial, or economic issues.

The fellowship encourages original reporting that provides fresh insights into important topics affecting communities, industries, and public policy. Fellows work independently from their own locations while completing their reporting projects, making the program suitable for both freelance and staff journalists.

Unlike a residency, the fellowship allows participants to continue working from their own offices while receiving financial support to complete their reporting.

Program Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Support high-quality investigative journalism.
• Encourage in-depth reporting on business, finance, and economic issues.
• Promote original stories that provide fresh perspectives.
• Increase reporting on under-covered communities and important public issues.
• Support journalism that examines the impact of changing government policies and federal spending priorities.
• Strengthen accountability through evidence-based reporting.

Areas of Focus

The fellowship welcomes projects covering topics such as:

Local and Regional Issues

Investigative stories examining important economic, business, or financial issues affecting local or regional communities.

National and International Reporting

Projects exploring significant national or global economic developments and their broader impact.

Under-Reported Communities and Issues

Stories highlighting communities, industries, or topics that receive limited media attention.

Public Policy and Government Spending

Reporting focused on the effects of federal spending decisions, economic policy changes, and priorities emerging from the administration in Washington, DC.

Funding Information

Successful fellows may receive:

• Maximum Grant: Up to $15,000 per project.

The final award amount depends on:

• Time required to complete the reporting.
• Reporting and research expenses.
• Overall project scope.

Freelance journalists may also use part of the grant as a living stipend during the fellowship period.

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be freelance or staff journalists.
• Work in text, audio, photography, or short-form video journalism.
• Have at least five years of professional journalism experience.
• Be reporters or editors working for news organizations or journalism non-profit organizations.
• Be U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or individuals who pay U.S. income taxes.

Eligible Reporting Formats

The fellowship supports:

• Text journalism.
• Audio journalism.
• Photojournalism.
• Short-form video.
• Multimedia reporting combining multiple formats.

Long-form documentaries are not supported.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A story proposal of no more than three pages.
• A detailed reporting plan and project timeline.
• An explanation of why the story is important and original.
• Three professionally published journalism samples demonstrating relevant reporting experience.
• An up-to-date résumé.

Finalists will also be required to provide professional references from editors or individuals familiar with their journalism.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Originality and significance of the proposed story.
• Public interest and potential impact.
• Strength of the reporting plan.
• Feasibility of completing the project.
• Professional journalism experience.
• Quality of previous published work.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Investigative journalism requires significant time, research, and financial resources that are often unavailable through traditional newsroom budgets. The McGraw Fellowship helps journalists pursue ambitious reporting projects that can uncover important economic issues, inform public debate, and strengthen accountability.

By supporting independent reporting, the fellowship contributes to deeper public understanding of business, financial, and economic developments affecting society.

How to Apply

Follow these steps before submitting your application:

1. Develop a clear investigative or enterprise reporting idea.
2. Prepare a story proposal of no more than three pages.
3. Explain why the story is original, significant, and timely.
4. Include a reporting strategy and realistic project timeline.
5. Select three strong published journalism samples.
6. Update your résumé.
7. Complete the online application form.
8. Submit all required documents before the application deadline.

Tips for Applicants

• Focus on a well-defined investigative question.
• Clearly explain why the story has public importance.
• Demonstrate how your reporting differs from previous coverage.
• Present a realistic reporting schedule.
• Include your strongest published work.
• Explain the anticipated impact of your investigation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting overly broad story proposals.
• Failing to demonstrate originality.
• Providing weak or unrelated writing samples.
• Omitting a clear reporting timeline.
• Exceeding the proposal length limit.
• Applying without sufficient professional journalism experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the McGraw Fellowship Program?

Experienced freelance and staff journalists working in text, audio, photography, or short-form video journalism may apply if they meet the eligibility requirements.

How much funding is available?

Each selected project may receive up to $15,000, depending on reporting needs and project expenses.

Is the fellowship only for freelance journalists?

No. Both freelance and staff journalists are eligible to apply. Freelancers may also use part of the grant as a living stipend.

Is having a publishing outlet required before applying?

No. Applicants do not need to have a media outlet committed to publishing the story, although they may mention one if available.

What supporting documents are required?

Applicants must submit a story proposal, three published journalism samples, and an up-to-date résumé. Finalists will later be asked to provide references.

Are documentary filmmakers eligible?

The fellowship supports short-form video journalism but does not fund long-form documentary projects.

Conclusion

The McGraw Fellowship Program provides experienced journalists with the financial support and flexibility needed to pursue high-impact investigative reporting on business, finance, and economic issues. With grants of up to $15,000, the fellowship enables reporters to produce original journalism that informs the public, strengthens accountability, and sheds light on important issues affecting communities in the United States and beyond.