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Wallace House is accepting applications for an academic-year fellowship at the University of Michigan. The programme supports journalists who want time to develop a journalism project or strengthen their professional practice.
Deadline: 1 December 2026 for international applicants; 1 February 2027 for U.S. applicants
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Who can apply?
The opportunity is intended for accomplished journalists across the field. Applicants should review the official application guidance and choose the correct international or U.S. application route.
What the opportunity offers
The eight-month fellowship offers an $85,000 stipend plus $5,000 for relocation, university resources, seminars, workshops, and support with the move to Ann Arbor. Fellows must live there and make the programme their main professional commitment.
Fellowship experience and funding
- An eight-month residential programme at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, from late August 2027 through April 2028, with arrival expected in mid-August.
- Up to nineteen fellows pursue individual projects, courses, research, workshops, private seminars and international travel away from daily newsroom deadlines.
- A US$85,000 stipend plus US$5,000 relocation support is distributed monthly from August through April. Health insurance, course auditing and required programme activities are separately covered.
- Housing-search and relocation assistance are available. Spouses and partners may take part in fellowship activities and audit courses.
Application documents and specifications
- A résumé covering professional positions since formal education, educational background and awards.
- A journalism-project proposal of no more than 500 words, identifying your goals and relevant Michigan academic areas or resources, plus a summary of at most sixty words.
- A personal statement of up to 1,500 words covering motivation, life experience, professional interests, ethics, career aspirations and the fellowship’s timing.
- Three work samples, generally from the past three years. Photography and audiovisual examples should be from the past two years; audio/video viewing totals must not exceed thirty minutes.
- Provide publication dates, captions or aired/posted dates as applicable, and explain your role in collaborative work. English translations must accompany non-English samples.
- Editors and managers submit a statement of up to 500 words about their responsibilities and approach, with optional supporting projects.
- Enter referee names, roles and affiliations in Phase One. References and possibly extra samples are requested only if invited to Phase Two.
Selection and participation
International finalists are interviewed in January–February and offers are expected by mid-February 2027. Fellows must live in Ann Arbor, attend programme events and make the fellowship their primary professional focus. Newsroom applicants should seek employer approval for leave. Applications must be personally written without AI assistance.
Correct application category
U.S. citizens apply through the U.S. route regardless of where they work; all other nationalities use the international route, including U.S. permanent residents. The international deadline is 1 December 2026; the U.S. deadline is 1 February 2027.
Official international application checklist
How to apply
Use the application guidance linked from the official programme page. Prepare a focused proposal and supporting materials, and submit through the application route that matches your applicant status.
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