Deadline: 13-Apr-2026
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism provides experienced journalists with up to $15,000 and intensive editorial support to produce high-impact investigative and enterprise reporting on business, economics, and finance. The remote fellowship supports deeply reported stories on issues such as federal spending, economic inequality, and corporate accountability, with publication opportunities through the McGraw Center and partner outlets.
Overview
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism is a prestigious program designed to support experienced journalists producing in-depth enterprise and investigative stories with a strong business, economic, or financial focus.
Administered by the McGraw Center for Business Journalism, the fellowship combines financial support with hands-on editorial guidance to help journalists execute complex, high-impact reporting projects and place them in established media outlets.
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowship aims to:
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Support deeply reported investigative and enterprise journalism
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Strengthen public understanding of business, finance, and economic systems
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Examine how economic and policy decisions affect individuals, communities, and markets
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Promote accountability in corporate and financial institutions
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Enable journalists to pursue ambitious reporting projects that require time and resources
Key Reporting Focus Areas
The McGraw Fellowship prioritizes projects that address critical business and economic issues, including:
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Federal spending and shifting policy priorities
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Economic inequality and its social and economic impacts
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Corporate accountability and governance
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Financial markets, regulation, and systemic risk
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Business practices affecting workers, consumers, and communities
Supported Formats
Projects may be produced in multiple journalistic formats:
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Text-based investigative or enterprise reporting
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Audio journalism (e.g., podcasts or audio features)
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Short-form video journalism
Long-form documentary projects are not supported under this fellowship.
What the Fellowship Provides
The McGraw Fellowship offers both financial and professional support.
Key benefits include:
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Grants of up to $15,000 per project
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Coverage of reporting-related expenses
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Living expense support for freelance journalists during the fellowship
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One-on-one editorial guidance from experienced editors
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Project development support and story refinement
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Assistance with placing completed stories in established media outlets
Publication and Visibility
All selected fellowship projects are published on the McGraw Center website.
In addition, stories may be:
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Co-published or syndicated with partner media outlets
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Featured in national or international publications, depending on the project
This provides fellows with increased visibility and professional recognition.
Fellowship Structure and Location
The McGraw Fellowship is a fully remote program.
Fellows:
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Work from their own offices or locations
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Coordinate regularly with McGraw Center editors
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Set reporting schedules aligned with project needs and editorial timelines
This structure allows journalists to integrate the fellowship into their existing professional commitments.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The fellowship is open to experienced professional journalists.
Eligibility requirements include:
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A minimum of five years of professional journalism experience
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Applicants may be freelancers, staff reporters, editors, or journalists at non-profit news organizations
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Demonstrated ability to report, manage, and complete complex investigative or enterprise projects
There are no geographic restrictions, provided applicants can work effectively in a remote setting.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a complete and well-structured application package.
Required materials include:
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A concise story proposal (maximum three pages)
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Three samples of professionally published journalism
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A current resume or CV
Shortlisted finalists will be asked to provide:
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Professional references
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An estimated project budget outlining anticipated expenses
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Applicants should prepare their submissions carefully to meet fellowship expectations.
Steps to apply:
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Develop a strong, original story idea with a clear business or economic focus
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Draft a concise proposal outlining the reporting plan, significance, and expected impact
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Select three published work samples that demonstrate investigative or enterprise reporting skills
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Prepare an up-to-date resume highlighting relevant experience
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Submit all required materials according to the fellowship’s application instructions
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If shortlisted, provide references and a detailed budget when requested
Why the McGraw Fellowship Matters
Investigative business journalism plays a vital role in democratic accountability and economic transparency.
The McGraw Fellowship:
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Enables journalists to pursue time-intensive, high-impact reporting
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Strengthens coverage of complex financial and economic systems
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Helps bring underreported business stories to public attention
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Supports rigorous, evidence-based journalism in the public interest
By combining funding with editorial mentorship, the fellowship increases the quality and reach of investigative reporting.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve your chances of selection:
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Propose a clearly defined, original, and newsworthy story
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Demonstrate access to sources and data relevant to the investigation
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Show how the story advances public understanding of business or economic issues
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Highlight prior experience handling complex reporting projects
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Keep the proposal focused, realistic, and well-structured
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Submitting overly broad or unfocused story ideas
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Proposing projects without a clear business or economic angle
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Exceeding the three-page proposal limit
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Submitting unpublished or non-professional work samples
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Proposing long-form documentary projects, which are not supported
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much funding does the McGraw Fellowship provide?
The fellowship offers grants of up to $15,000 per project.
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. Freelance journalists are fully eligible and may use funds for reporting and living expenses.
Is the fellowship location-based?
No. The fellowship is entirely remote.
Where are fellowship stories published?
All selected stories are published on the McGraw Center website and may also appear in other media outlets.
What level of experience is required?
Applicants must have at least five years of professional journalism experience.
Are long-form documentaries eligible?
No. Long-form documentary projects are not supported at this time.
Conclusion
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism is a valuable opportunity for experienced journalists to pursue ambitious investigative and enterprise reporting on critical economic and business issues. With financial support, expert editorial guidance, and strong publication opportunities, the fellowship empowers journalists to produce impactful stories that inform the public and strengthen accountability in business and finance.
For more information, visit Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Center for Business Journalism.
