Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships 2026–2027 at University of Michigan

Omran Aburayya
Oct 13, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Oct 14, 2025

If you're an accomplished journalist seeking to deepen your expertise, tackle a significant project, or innovate within your field, the Knight-Wallace Fellowships at the University of Michigan offer a transformative opportunity. Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 academic year.

🎓 Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowships 2026–2027

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Host Institution: University of Michigan
Level: Non-degree, immersive fellowship program
Target Group: Mid-career journalists with a minimum of five years of professional experience
Fields of Focus: Journalism innovation, investigative reporting, data journalism, media entrepreneurship, and specialized fellowships in local news and arts journalism
Value and Coverage:
- $85,000 stipend distributed monthly from August through April
- $5,000 relocation allowance
- Health insurance, course auditing, and participation in fellowship activities covered
- Individual housing assistance provided
Duration: Eight months (late August through April)
Application Deadlines:
- International applicants: December 1, 2025
- U.S. applicants: February 1, 2026
Start Date: Late August 2026
Eligible To: Journalists worldwide with at least five years of experience

🧭 Fellowship Overview

The Knight-Wallace Fellowships offer journalists a unique opportunity to step away from daily deadlines and immerse themselves in an academic environment. Fellows engage in:

Individual journalism projects to develop topical depth, gain new skills, address newsroom challenges, or explore journalism ventures
Access to specialized resources and faculty at the University of Michigan
Private seminars with newsroom leaders, change agents, and world-renowned experts
Workshops to sharpen professional skills and leadership abilities
International travel to contextualize political, economic, and social forces shaping news coverage

🆕 In addition to the traditional fellowship, two new specialized fellowships are introduced for the 2026–2027 academic year:

Great Lakes Local News Fellowship: Supports journalists and strategists from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in developing locally-focused journalism projects. Fellows receive training in entrepreneurship, business law, organizational development, and post-fellowship consulting to aid in developing and implementing entrepreneurial journalism projects.
Arts Journalism Fellowship: In collaboration with the University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative, this fellowship supports journalists specializing in arts reporting and criticism. Fellows engage with leading scholars, creators, and innovators in the arts, gaining access to valuable professional development opportunities.

🌟 Fellowship Benefits

Financial Support: $85,000 stipend plus $5,000 for relocation expenses
Academic Access: Opportunity to audit courses and participate in workshops at the University of Michigan
Professional Development: Engagement in seminars and workshops to enhance journalistic skills and leadership abilities
International Exposure: Participation in international travel to gain broader perspectives on global issues
Community Engagement: Involvement in activities that foster collaboration and innovation within the journalism community

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Minimum of five years of professional journalism experience
Currently employed in journalism or as an independent journalist
Open to a diverse range of journalists, including reporters, editors, data experts, visual journalists, audio producers, engagement specialists, designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and organizational change agents
For specialized fellowships:
- Great Lakes Local News Fellowship: Applicants must be from or have a demonstrated understanding of the Great Lakes region and have at least five years of experience.
- Arts Journalism Fellowship: Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in arts journalism.