Scholarship details
Journalism is a noble profession that requires courage, curiosity, and commitment to inform the public about the issues that matter. But it is also a challenging and competitive field that demands constant learning and improvement. The Livingston Journalism Scholarship at the University of Michigan is a golden opportunity for young journalists who aspire to excel in their craft and make a difference in the world.
The Livingston Journalism Scholarship is a prestigious award that recognizes the best journalists under 35 for outstanding achievement in local, national, and international reporting across all forms of journalism. The scholarship is named after Robert Livingston, a former editor of The Detroit News and a champion of young journalists. The scholarship is administered by the Wallace House Center for Journalists, a journalism education and innovation hub at the University of Michigan.
Scholarship Provider
The scholarship provider is the Wallace House Center for Journalists. This center supports the professional development of journalists and fosters the role of a free and responsible press in a healthy democracy. The center is home to the Knight-Wallace Fellowships for Journalists. This residential fellowship program offers mid-career journalists a year of academic study and personal growth at the University of Michigan. The center also hosts the Wallace House Presents series, a public forum that features conversations with leading journalists and media experts on current affairs and journalism trends.
Eligible Applicants
The eligible applicants are journalists under 35 who have produced work in any medium (print, broadcast, online, etc.) published or aired in 2023. The applicants can be staff reporters, freelancers, or independent journalists. The applicants can be based in any country, but the work must be in English or have subtitles.
Host Country
The host country is the United States of America, where the University of Michigan is located. The University of Michigan is a public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, ranked among the world’s top universities. The university has a rich academic excellence, innovation, and social impact history.
Scholarship Worth
The scholarship worth is $10,000 for each of the three categories: local reporting, national reporting, and international reporting. The winners will also receive recognition and mentorship from the Livingston Awards national judges and some of the industry’s most distinguished and respected journalists. The winners will also be invited to attend the Livingston Awards ceremony and luncheon, where they will meet and network with other journalists, media leaders, and university faculty and students.
Level and Field of Study
The level and field of study are not specified, as the scholarship is open to journalists of any background and specialization. However, submitted work must be original, factual, and relevant to the public interest. The work can cover any topic, such as politics, business, culture, science, health, sports, etc., as long as it demonstrates excellence in reporting, writing, and storytelling.
How to Apply
The application process is simple. The applicants must complete an online form and upload their work and supporting materials. The work can be a single piece or a series of up to three related pieces. The supporting materials include a brief biography, a personal statement, and two letters of recommendation. The application fee is $25 but can be waived for applicants who demonstrate financial need.
Countries that can Apply
The countries that can apply are worldwide, as long as the work is in English or has English subtitles. The scholarship is open to journalists of any nationality and citizenship. However, the work must have been published or aired in 2023 and must be accessible online or by mail.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The applicants must be journalists under 35 as of December 31, 2023.
- The applicants must have produced work in any medium published or aired in 2023.
- The work must be in English or have English subtitles.
- The work must be original, factual, and relevant to the public interest.
- The work must demonstrate excellence in reporting, writing, and storytelling.
Scholarship Deadline
The scholarship deadline is February 1, 2024. The winners will be announced in June 2024. The applicants are advised to submit their work as early as possible, as the online system may experience high traffic near the deadline. The applicants can also check the status of their submissions online.