Deadline: 03-Dec-2025
The John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship Program offer journalists an opportunity to step back from demands of daily work and spend an academic year at Stanford University reimagining the future of journalism.
The John S. Knight (JSK) Journalism Fellowships at Stanford University provide an opportunity for journalists worldwide to advance their leadership skills and innovate in the ever-evolving media landscape. During the nine-month fellowship, participants receive financial support, gain full access to Stanford’s intellectual and creative ecosystem, and engage in a program designed specifically to meet the needs of their class.
Being a JSK Fellow is a full-time commitment, requiring residence at Stanford from September through May. Fellows are expected to dedicate themselves fully to the program, participate in weekly cohort meetings, biweekly individual coaching sessions, and occasional JSK or Stanford events. They also share insights and reflections publicly while collaborating respectfully with diverse peers.
Selected fellows benefit from individual coaching, customized workshops, and a purposefully designed cohort experience that builds leadership, resilience, and the ability to navigate change. The fellowship provides a stipend of $130,000 for the nine-month period, along with Stanford tuition, health insurance, and additional support for dependents. Fellows also receive advice on housing and settling in the Stanford area.
The program welcomes journalists with at least five years of professional work experience, including those from news organizations, independent journalism, entrepreneurial ventures, strategy, and innovation roles. While a college degree is not required, applicants must demonstrate that the majority of their work is in journalism. The fellowship is not open to those seeking a degree, professionals in public relations or public information, in-house or industry communicators, employees of government agencies, or full-time academics.
The application process involves registering on SurveyMonkey Apply, completing an online form about one’s career journey and goals, and submitting a one-minute selfie video, resume, one work sample, and references. Applicants must also disclose any use of AI tools in their application. The review process includes multiple rounds, culminating in a Zoom interview with JSK directors and selection committee members.
The JSK Fellowship offers more than time away from daily deadlines—it provides space, community, and courage to think boldly, act with purpose, and return to the world renewed, ready to shape the future of journalism.
The deadline for applications is 3 December 2025.
For more information, visit JSK.
