The John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships, based at Stanford University, bring up to 20 journalists and journalism professionals from around the world to Stanford each year.
Fellows leave their jobs for nine months, September to May, to pursue a question about journalism they bring with them — not a set project — through coaching, workshops, a small cohort and Stanford classes. The 2026-27 class, the 60th, has 13 fellows: eight U.S. and five international.
Benefits & funding
- US$135,000 stipend for the nine months (the 2026-27 class was announced with US$130,000).
- Stanford tuition and health insurance for the fellow, and health insurance for a spouse and children who come; a health supplement for dependents in Stanford coverage.
- Coaching, workshops, the alumni network and rental-housing advice.
- J-1 visa for the fellow and J-2 for eligible dependents, tied to the fellowship.
- Duties: full-time residence September–May, weekly cohort meetings, biweekly coaching, sharing insights publicly.
Eligibility
- At least five years of professional experience; student work and internships don’t count.
- No college degree or traditional-newsroom experience needed.
- Open to people producing journalism in any role, in operations or strategy at news organisations, or at organisations supporting journalists; freelancers must do most of their work in journalism.
- Not eligible: degree seekers, PR or public-information staff, in-house or industry communicators, government employees, full-time academics, and anyone working for or with media that are not editorially independent (e.g. government-run).
- Citizens of countries where the U.S. has suspended J-visa issuance cannot be offered a fellowship; a second, unrestricted citizenship and passport may be used to apply.
- Proficient spoken and written English; materials in English, no TOEFL.
- U.S. or international track depends on whether the community served is mainly in the U.S.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“If you’re a citizen of a country where the United States has suspended issuance of nonimmigrant visas … (specifically J visas), unfortunately we would be unable to offer you a fellowship.” Eligibility
Experience required
≥ 5 yrs
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Application process
- 1Create a SurveyMonkey Apply account; profile questions place you on the U.S. or international track.
- 2Complete the online form on your background and goals, with a résumé, one work example and contact details for three professional references (no letters).
- 3Submit by 1:00 p.m. Pacific on 2 December 2026; no extensions or late applications.
- 4Shortlisted applicants are interviewed on Zoom; selectors are the directors, alumni and, for U.S. fellowships, the JSK Selection Committee.
Program timeline
Webinars
21 Oct – 12 Nov 2026
Application deadline
2 Dec 2026, 1:00 p.m. Pacific
Zoom interviews
March 2027
April–May 2027
Offers (international April, U.S. May)
Early September 2027
Orientation; residency to May 2028