RJI Professional Innovation Fellowships

About this program

The Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) invites individuals and organizations to apply for 2027 Professional Innovation Fellowships to develop practical, community-centered tools, resources, programs, or platforms for journalists and newsrooms. Eight-month fellowships begin June 28, 2027, are remote with limited RJI visits, and provide stipends of $75,000 for Institutional and Individual Fellowships or $100,000 for Emerging Technology Fellowships. Applicants may be located anywhere and need not be journalists or meet specific age or background requirements, but projects must address a current journalism need, incorporate testing and feedback, and culminate in a free, accessible, open-source public resource. Applications are due December 18, 2026.