In an effort to help develop the next crop of reporters working to keep people around the globe informed, educated and entertained, we have created the Google Journalism Fellowship. As a company dedicated to organizing the world’s information and making it universally accessible and useful, Google recognizes that behind many blue links is a journalist and that quality journalism is a key ingredient of a vibrant and functioning society.
This program is aimed at undergraduate and graduate students of all disciplines interested in using technology to tell stories in new and dynamic ways. The Fellows will get the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to a variety of organizations -- from those that are steeped in investigative journalism to those working for press freedom around the world and from those forging new approaches to reporting to those that are helping the industry figure out its future in the digital age.
There will be a focus on data driven journalism, building news apps, online free expression and rethinking the business of journalism. The 10-week long Fellowship will open with time spent at Google followed by nine weeks at one of the participating organizations.
Participating organizations are based in Berkeley, CA, Columbia, MO, Cambridge, MA, Denver, CO, St. Petersburg/Miami, FL, New York, NY, Washington, DC and Boston, MA, Austin, TX.
• They include the Center for Investigative Reporting, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Inside Energy, Investigative Reporters & Editors, Pew Research Center's Journalism Project, Poynter, Nieman Journalism Lab, PRI.org, ProPublica, Sunlight Foundation and the Texas tribune.
• More information about the host organizations and the areas of focus for the Fellows are outlined on the Host Organizations page.
Fellows will be assigned a lead mentor at their host organizations, but will have the opportunity to work with several senior staff members over the course of the summer. Fellows will be expected to make substantive contributions to the work of their organization, including researching and writing stories, contributing to open source data programs, creating timely data to accurately frame public debates about issues in the United States and the world as well as finding new and compelling ways to use data to tell stories.
Like all of these opportunities, you will get out of it as much as you put in. And possibly more. While this is not a goal of the Fellowship, over the last couple of years a number of Fellows have landed jobs as a result of this program.
Who should apply?
While this is a journalism Fellowship, you do not have to be in a journalism program to apply. We're looking for students who are passionate about reporting and the role that technology can play in the pursuit of this craft. To qualify you must be a US student or a student studying in the US with a relevant visa. Students from all majors and degree programs who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply:
• Demonstrated or stated commitment to journalism - especially in the fields of data driven journalism or freedom of expression online
• An interest in exploring and creating business models to help the industry in the digital age
• Excellent academic record, professional/extracurricular/volunteer activities, subject matter expertise
• First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment
• Applicants with some experience with HTML, Javascript or another web programming language and experience with Microsoft Excel or a database system is an advantage.
Fellows will receive a stipend of $8,500 USD for 10 weeks during the summer of 2015 (June-August) and a travel budget of $1,000 USD.
The Fellowship will start on June 8, 2015 with time at Google in Mountain View, California, on the first week of the program. Fellows will join their host organization on June 15, 2015 and finish on August 14, 2015.
The application form is available here: http://www.google.com/get/journalismfellowship/index.html