Knight-Bagehot seeking applications for 2015

The Knight-Bagehot Fellowship in Economics and Business Journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism is seeking applications for the 2015-16 academic year.

The program is designed to meet the public interest in business and economics news and the demand for trained editors and reporters in the field. In scope and depth, it is considered the most comprehensive business journalism fellowship in the country. Eligible Knight-Bagehot fellows may qualify for a Master of Science degree in journalism upon completion of this rigorous program.

Conducted during Columbia’s academic year from August through May, the fellowship accepts up to 10 fellows each year. Fellows receive free tuition plus a stipend to offset living expenses in New York City. For the 2016 academic year, a stipend of $55,000 will be granted to each fellow. Housing is available in a Columbia-affiliated facility.

The fellowship is named for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, of Miami, which has established an endowment for the program; and Walter Bagehot, the 19th-century editor of The Economist. The Knight Foundation has been the principal sponsor of the fellowship since 1987. The program also depends on grants from a number of other charitable foundations, corporations and publishing organizations for a portion of its annual budget.

The fellowship’s sponsors have no role in the selection of fellows or the organization of the fellowship’s curriculum, which are controlled by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

The fellowship is open to full-time editorial employees of newspapers, magazines, wire services, and broadcast news organizations as well as to freelance journalists. Applicants must have at least four years’ experience. There are no academic prerequisites. Though some attempt is made to achieve a diversity of backgrounds, the affiliation of applicants is not a factor in the selection process. Journalists from nationally known organizations are not given preference over those from smaller regional media.

The chief criterion for selection is demonstrated journalistic excellence. While essays and letters of recommendation are important parts of the application, the greatest weight is given to work samples. Clippings and tapes need not cover business subjects, and applicants do not have to be business specialists. All materials, including letters of reference, college transcripts, essays and work samples, should be compiled and submitted with an online application form.