Overview of the Fellowship The Knight-Wallace Fellowships, administered by the Wallace House Center for Journalists at the University of Michigan, have been awarding journalism fellowships since 1973. The programme is designed to provide mid-career journalists with an immersive, in-residence experience, supporting professional growth and fostering innovative approaches to news reporting. Fellows gain the opportunity to explore new ideas, develop expertise, and broaden their professional networks in a stimulating academic environment. The Fellowship emphasizes: Advancing journalism excellence and innovation Supporting diverse perspectives and experiences in media Strengthening the capacity of journalists to inform public discourse Providing dedicated time for focused study and professional development Eligibility Criteria The Knight-Wallace Fellowships target journalists who demonstrate substantial professional experience and commitment to the field. Eligibility requirements include: Minimum of five years of professional journalism experience Current engagement in journalism, either with a news organisation or as an independent journalist Professional roles may include: Reporters, editors, and data journalists Visual and audio producers Engagement specialists, designers, and developers Media entrepreneurs and organisational change agents Applicants should not be full-time academics, PR professionals, lobbyists, or public advocates U.S. citizens must apply as U.S. applicants; non-U.S. citizens must apply as international applicants, regardless of employment location or Green Card status Fellowship Terms Knight-Wallace Fellows are expected to commit fully to the programme during the academic year. Key terms include: Residency in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the duration of the fellowship Attendance at all seminars and events Treating the fellowship as their primary professional focus Journalists currently employed in newsrooms are encouraged to obtain employer consent for a leave of absence, with the understanding that they will return to their positions after the fellowship Application Timeline Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year are open, with deadlines as follows: International applicants: December 1, 2025 U.S. applicants: February 1, 2026 Fellowship offers are extended in phases: International Fellows: Mid-February 2026 U.S. Fellows: Early May 2026 The academic year begins in late August 2026, with fellows expected to arrive by mid-August. Selection Process The selection process ensures a diverse and high-caliber cohort of journalists, reflecting a range of experiences, specialties, geographic regions, and organizational contexts. Typical cohort composition: 10–12 U.S. journalists Up to 6 international journalists Selection involves a rigorous review of applications, interviews, and evaluation of proposed study projects International finalists are interviewed in January and February, allowing time for visa processing U.S. finalists are interviewed in April Fellowship Opportunities for U.S. Journalists Knight-Wallace Fellowships provide U.S. journalists the chance to pursue immersive study projects across a variety of fields: Education and public policy Sports, health, and medicine Technology and news innovation Transportation and environmental reporting International reporting In addition, specialized fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year include: Great Lakes Local News Fellowship Arts Journalism Fellowship Applicants for these programs complete the general fellowship application while submitting essays addressing the specific focus area. Next Steps for Applicants Prospective applicants are encouraged to: Review the Application and Fellowship FAQs Prepare their submissions using the international or U.S. application guidelines Complete and submit the application form via the OpenWater platform Participate in webinars for prospective applicants, featuring presentations by fellowship alumni Wallace House is also home to the Livingston Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in journalism, further reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the field. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the fellowship organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.