Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation

The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship in Journalism Innovation is an extraordinary, transformative learning opportunity open to journalists working in all media in every country around the world.

The fellowship is collaboration between the Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard. Both organizations share a set of common interests around journalism, innovation, and the evolution of the digital space, and both have longstanding fellowship programs that offer a year of learning and collaboration with others in the Harvard community.

Proposals from Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship candidates may deal with any issue relating to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples include ideas for new revenue streams to fund journalism, the construction of new tools for reporting, or research into news consumption patterns. Candidates must explain how their proposals will benefit journalism.

Those selected for the program spend two full semesters at Harvard auditing classes with some of the university’s greatest thinkers, participating in Nieman events and collaborating with peers. Nieman Fellows are also able to audit classes at other local universities including MIT and Tufts.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Nieman-Berkman Klein Fellowship is open to both U.S. and international applicants.
• All applicants for academic-year Nieman Fellowships, including freelancers, must be working journalists with at least five years of full-time media experience. Journalism-related work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience. Professionals who work in public relations or in a position whose primary focus is not the media are not eligible to apply.
• During the two years prior to applying, an applicant should not have participated in a fellowship lasting four months or longer.
• Candidates nominate themselves for Nieman Fellowships by submitting an application and supplementary materials. There are no age limits or academic prerequisites, and a college degree is not required.
• After candidates have been chosen, they must agree in writing to honor all leave stipulations made with their employers; to refrain from professional work during the fellowship year, except as approved by the Nieman curator; and to complete work in a minimum of one course per semester and honor commitments made to faculty as a condition of auditing a class. Fellows also must remain in residence in the Cambridge area while classes are in session and participate in all Nieman Foundation programs.
• Each year, the Nieman Foundation selects up to 12 U.S. citizens and 12 international journalists for academic-year Nieman Fellowships. All prospective fellows must speak, read and write English fluently.

Application Deadlines

• International journalists: 1 December 2023
• U.S. journalists (U.S. citizens): 31 January 2024

Benefits

• Nieman Fellows receive a stipend of $85,000 paid over a nine-month period to cover living costs.
• The Nieman Foundation also provides a health insurance supplement (up to $6,000 each for the fellow and a spouse, and up to $3,500 for each child younger than 18) and a childcare allowance for children 12 and younger that ranges from $8,000 to $14,000 depending on the number of children, with an additional $7,000 if a child is aged three or younger.
• Fellows are not eligible for health care insurance through Harvard University. Individuals who are unable to retain their current health insurance would have the option of purchasing a plan through the Massachusetts Health Connector, which is an independent state agency that serves as a marketplace for MA residents to find, compare, and enroll in health insurance.
• Nieman additionally covers the cost of attending Harvard classes for fellows and their affiliates. Affiliates are the partners and spouses of fellows. They enjoy many of the same privileges as fellows and may attend classes, use Harvard libraries and other facilities, and are welcome to participate in almost all Nieman activities.

Learn more and apply here.