The Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) at the University of Missouri invites proposals for its Professional Innovation Fellowships from individuals and organizations who want to build practical, innovative, and free resources for community-centered news. The program is designed to empower journalists and the communities they serve by funding projects that address a current need, gap, or challenge in the industry. All final products, resources, or tools are required to be free and accessible for all journalists and newsrooms to use.
The 8-month fellowship is remote, with a couple of required visits to RJI during the program.
There are three types of fellowships available:
- Institutional Fellowship: For a fellow embedded within an organization to build a resource that addresses a need for that organization while also being applicable to the wider journalism industry.
- Individual Fellowship: For an individual (journalist, consultant, researcher, etc.) who wants to create a resource, tool, or product that addresses a challenge in journalism, outside of their regular work.
- Emerging Technology Fellowship: For a fellow who wants to use emerging technology to build a solution for a problem in journalism that would not be possible without that technology.
Financial Benefits
The fellowship provides a significant stipend, paid in installments based on the completion of deliverables.
- Emerging Technology Fellowship: $100,000 stipend.
- Institutional Fellowship: $75,000 stipend.
- Individual Fellowship: $75,000 stipend.
Eligibility Criteria
RJI emphasizes that there are no specific requirements for applying. The fellowship is open to applicants regardless of their location, current employment status, age, or experience level. Excellent candidates include:
- Doctoral candidates or postdoctoral researchers.
- Early- to mid-career researchers in academia, non-profits, or policy organizations.
- Journalists, consultants, or other individuals with a vital innovative project.
- Applicants from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Process
The application is a multi-round process.
- Applications Open: December 1, 2025.
- First Round Application Deadline: February 6, 2026.
- Second Round Invitations Sent: By February 20, 2026 (applicants will have two weeks to complete a more in-depth application).
- Finalist Interviews: April 6-17, 2026.
- Fellowship Begins: June 29, 2026.
Application Link:
Applications are managed through the RJI Submittable portal.
