The Nation Institute Launches Ida B. Wells Fellowship to Support Diversity in Journalism.

Ida b. Wells Fellowship Diversity in Journalism

The Nation Institute announces an exciting new opportunity for aspiring journalists of color. The newly launched Ida B. Wells Fellowship hopes to promote diversity in journalism by will providing a $10,000 stipend to four journalists from underrepresented groups.

The fellowship comes at a time when people of color makeup only 13% of the staff in most newsrooms.

According to the Nation Institute,

The one-year fellowship helps reporters complete their first substantial work of investigative reporting, by providing a $10,000 award and editorial advice from a dedicated Investigative Fund editor. Fellows will receive funds to cover travel and other reporting costs, and the costs associated with attending the annual Investigative Reporters and Editors conference. They will also enjoy access to research resources, legal assistance, professional mentors, and assistance with story placement and publicity.

The fellowship’s namesake, Ida B. Wells (July 16, 1862 – March 25, 1931), was born a slave in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1862. During her career as a journalist, Wells spearheaded an anti-lynching campaign. She found that most blacks who had been lynched were killed for failing to pay debt or for minor offenses, as opposed to attacking white women, which was the common claim at the time.

Applications for the Ida B. Wells Fellowship for 2016 are due April 18. Winners will be announced in May.

You can download guidelines and the application here and submit it to: idabwells@nationinstitute.org.