Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship

Launch your Career in Journalism

The year-long Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship is for early-career journalists who are aspiring future leaders in the industry.

As a finalist for the fellowship, you’ll have the opportunity to find placement as a paid, full-time journalist at a participating news outlet, joining colleagues who are passionate about journalism and the critical role of the free press in society. You’ll learn from each other, on the job, and from a robust, real-world curriculum presented by seasoned, professional journalists.

In-person and Virtual

Fellows gather weekly to engage in robust coursework, such as media training and workshops and discussions about today’s most pressing journalistic issues. Three times during the year you’ll join the other fellows and faculty for additional workshops and activities at multi-day summits.

Our participants — up to 60 per fellowship class — come from all over the United States. The news organizations they work for range from metropolitan dailies to local market television stations to digital enterprises. Fellows contribute their many unique perspectives to an ongoing dialogue over the future of journalism.

Impact Stories

Poynter-Koch Media And Journalism Fellowship

Challis Wells: The Poynter-Koch Fellowship and the courage to forge a new path

May 26, 2023

Poynter-Koch Media And Journalism Fellowship

Asher Lehrer-Small: Journalism is a public service

April 28, 2023

Poynter-Koch Media And Journalism Fellowship

Andrea Keckley: Poynter-Koch Fellowship fed a passion for law, justice reporting

March 30, 2023

Just the Facts

Advisor Program

The program places each fellow into an advisory group with several other fellows and an experienced professional advisor. These groups meet twice a month during class time to build community, allow for peer mentorship and professional development, and workshop innovation projects together.

Innovation Project

Fellows propose a positive change or improvement for their newsrooms. They might create a coverage plan for an underserved community or a series of articles on a topic not previously covered. The goal is to stretch beyond everyday assignments and innovate with the limits up to the fellows. As a competition, previous winners include a fellow who built a video graphic interface for her employer and another who launched a podcast for her TV news station aimed at millennial audiences.

Summits

Three times during the year, fellows come together to learn from each other and from faculty face to face. Guests at summits have included Poynter’s top lecturers, the StoryCorps team, ethics experts, documentarians and filmmakers, and leading journalists. The June 2019 opening summit keynote speaker was CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett at the National Press Club. Each summit focuses on journalism skills as well as discussion topics, such as small breakout sessions exploring case studies that represent thorny ethical issues. Fellows also have a chance to hone tactical skills including media and interview training. We also have some fun. Whether it’s attending a World Champion Washington Nationals baseball game, playing shuffleboard under the Florida sun, balancing super-size Jenga, or enjoying great Italian food, we make sure it’s not all work and no play.

Important Program Dates

Application Opens

Application Closes

Fellowship Class Announced

Program Begins

Program Ends

Application Opens January 13, 2023

Application Closes March 10, 2023

Fellowship Class Announced June 26, 2023

Program Begins August 2, 2023

Program Ends May 17, 2024

Why Poynter-Koch?

The authors of the First Amendment understood that a free and robust press is a crucial component in the system of checks and balances built into American society.

Journalists and storytellers discover and then report what is fact — and what is not. They shine light on inaccuracies and injustice, adopting a role as the ultimate stone kickers and skeptics. They inspire and educate with stories that explain, provoke, and expose the world around us. In doing so, the press builds a foundation of trust and mutual understanding that is essential for progress in all its forms.

The Poynter-Koch Media and Journalism Fellowship’s curriculum is designed to address not only the hard skills of reporting and storytelling techniques but also the pillars of First Amendment law, foundations of a free press, and the core values that underpin public service journalism.

While bringing differing perspectives from varying roles and newsrooms, Poynter-Koch fellows share common ground: a commitment to the ideals and values of journalism. The power of the program comes not from the curriculum but from the diversity of fellows’ perspectives.

Curriculum Snapshot

Opening Three-day Summit (August)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Fall Semester

Curriculum includes Foundations, Digital Skills, Business of Journalism, Diversity and Journalism, Journalism Ethics and more. Fellows also meet regularly with advisory group.

Midyear Summit (February)

St. Petersburg, Florida

Spring Semester

Curriculum includes Audience Development, Media Law, Beat Building, and Life Skills for Journalists. Fellows continue to meet with advisories and work on innovation project.

Closing Summit (May)

Washington, DC