Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute
/OVERVIEW: The Reynolds Journalism Institute funds fellowships to support new ideas and and projects in journalism.
IP TAKE: The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute funds fellowship programs that generate “innovative projects for community centered news, journalists and the communities they serve.” This is an interesting opportunity for journalism students and professionals at one of the country’s leading journalism schools. Applications are due in early February. Reach out to Kat Duncan with questions at any time.
PROFILE: Created in 2004, the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute was established with a $31 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. It is located at the University of Missouri’s Missouri School of Journalism, one of the major cornerstones of journalist education in the U.S. The institute “empowers journalists with knowledge, tools and funding to strengthen journalism through practical innovation.” It supports journalism through its fellowships.
Grants for Journalism and Higher Education
The institute supports fellowships for journalism students and professionals who aim to develop “a resource that journalists and newsrooms can utilize – whether it’s a guide, toolkit, platform, workshop or tool.” The institute runs two fellowship programs.
Residential Fellowships support a yearlong project undertaken by a fellow in collaboration with the institute’s staff. Topics may change from year to year, but recent fellowships have focused on fundraising and “sources of direct revenue” for newsrooms. Up to $100,000 may be awarded, including living expenses for the duration of the fellowship and “[p]roject expenses paid through the institute.”
For examples of current and past fellowships, see the organization’s fellowship class page.
Remote Fellowships are awarded in two categories.
Nonresidential Fellowships support individuals pursuing a journalistic “idea outside of their day job/work.” This eight-month fellowship involves a single visit to the RJI and a stipend of $25,000 “payable in increments as deliverables are met for each stage of the fellowship.”
Institutional Fellowships are similar to nonresidential fellowships, with the exception that the funding goes to a “company or institution.” Projects may involve a team of journalists, but the leader of this group is assigned the position of Institutional Fellow and will attend an onsite meeting with the institute’s staff. A stipend of $25,000 is paid to the grantee organization “in increments as deliverables are met for each stage of the fellowship.”
Important Grant Details:
RJI Fellowships are awarded in amounts set by the institute’s residential and remote fellowship programs.
Applications for both fellowship programs are due in early February each year.
Finalists will be interviewed via zoom in March, prior to final decisions and notifications.
Questions about the application process may be directed to Kat Duncan via email.
General inquiries for the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute may be directed to the organization via email at rji@rjionline.org or telephone at 573-884-9121.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
