A Nieman Fellowship is an extraordinary, transformative learning opportunity open to journalists working in all media in every country around the world. Those selected for the program spend two full semesters at Harvard auditing classes with some of the university’s greatest thinkers, participating in Nieman events and collaborating with peers. Nieman Fellows are also able to audit classes at other local universities including MIT and Tufts.
Each year, the Nieman Foundation awards paid fellowships to up to 24 journalists working in print, broadcast, digital and audiovisual media. Journalists and other professionals working in positions that support journalism, such as the business or technology departments of news companies, are welcome to apply for one of the foundation’s short-term Visiting Fellowships.
During their time at Harvard, Nieman Fellows attend seminars, shop talks, master classes and journalism conferences designed to strengthen their professional skills and leadership capabilities, thereby helping to fortify the news industry itself. With the knowledge they gain on campus and the relationships they build, fellows often return to work as journalism entrepreneurs, industry innovators and top managers in their newsrooms.
Am I eligible?
All applicants for Nieman Fellowships, including freelancers, must be working journalists with at least five years of full-time media experience. Journalism-related work completed as a university student does not count as professional experience. People who work in public relations or at organizations whose primary business is not the media are not eligible to apply.
When appropriate, the applicant’s employer should approve a leave of absence for the academic year (mid-August through May).
During the two years prior to applying, an applicant should not have participated in a fellowship or taken a leave of absence from work that lasted for four months or longer.