The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford offers a fellowship programme for practising, mid-career journalists who want time away from their normal newsroom responsibilities to explore journalism in greater depth.
The programme is open internationally, including to journalists from Africa.
Applications for fellowships beginning in the 2026–27 academic year are now closed. The Reuters Institute says applications will reopen in January 2027.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Journalist Fellowship Programme |
| Institution | Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford |
| Study location | Oxford, United Kingdom |
| Target group | Practising mid-career journalists and editors |
| Experience | Generally more than five years |
| Duration | Three or six months |
| African applicants | Eligible |
| Current status | Closed |
| Next application window | January 2027 |
What Is the Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship?
The Journalist Fellowship Programme allows working journalists and editors to spend several months at the Reuters Institute in Oxford exploring journalism, the news industry and a specific professional or research project.
The programme combines:
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Personal research
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Seminars
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Discussions with journalists and experts
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Networking
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Independent project work
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Exposure to wider debates about journalism
It is designed for professionals who intend to return to journalism after the fellowship.
Who Can Apply?
The Reuters Institute says applicants generally need more than five years of experience working in newsrooms.
In exceptional cases, applicants may demonstrate an equivalent level of expertise.
Freelance journalists are also eligible to apply.
However, the Institute does not accept applications from people working in public affairs, public relations or corporate communications.
Can African Journalists Apply?
Yes.
The programme is international and explicitly states that Journalist Fellowships are open to journalists from Africa as well as Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America and Latin America.
The important requirement is not nationality but whether the applicant meets the programme’s professional and eligibility criteria.
How Long Is the Fellowship?
Fellowships last either:
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Three months, or
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Six months
depending on the funding arrangement.
Fellowships begin in October, January or April.
Applicants should therefore consider not only the application itself but also whether they can obtain the necessary leave from their newsroom or professional commitments.
Is the Fellowship Fully Funded?
Most journalists on the programme are fully funded.
The Reuters Institute says successful applicants under its funded arrangements have their fees covered and receive a monthly stipend of £2,000.
The Institute also says it covers travel to and from the UK and visa costs for these funded fellows.
However, not every fellowship necessarily follows the same funding arrangement because some fellows are supported by sponsoring organisations.
Applicants should therefore check the funding arrangement attached to the fellowship for which they are being considered.
What Do Fellows Actually Do?
The programme is not simply a journalism course.
Fellows work on a personal project while at Oxford.
The project should be relevant to their professional development, newsroom or the wider journalism industry.
They also participate in seminars, discussions and networking activities with other fellows and journalism professionals.
This means applicants should think carefully about their proposed project before applying.
What Do You Need to Submit?
The Reuters Institute currently asks applicants to prepare several materials.
These include:
Curriculum Vitae
A full CV outlining your journalism and professional background.
Personal Statement
A statement of no more than 500 words covering:
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Your journalistic values
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Major trends affecting the media landscape where you work
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What you would contribute to the fellowship
Research Project Statement
A statement of up to 1,000 words explaining the project you want to work on during the fellowship.
Professional References
Applicants need references, including employer support where applicable.
Freelance journalists can use an appropriate professional reference.
Work Samples
Applicants must submit examples of their journalism.
The exact requirements differ according to the type of journalism.
Print journalists are asked for three articles or reports.
Broadcast journalists need to provide a suitable video or broadcast example.
What African Journalists Should Think About Before Applying
The strongest preparation is unlikely to be simply updating your CV.
Think about the journalism problem you want to investigate.
For example:
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How is AI changing journalism in your country?
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What happens to local news when advertising revenue declines?
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How are journalists covering conflict or displacement?
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How is social media changing trust in news?
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What happens to public-interest journalism in underserved communities?
The important point is that your project should be specific.
Instead of:
“I want to study journalism in Africa.”
Develop a question that can realistically be explored during the fellowship.
Why the Research Project Matters
The Reuters Institute specifically asks applicants to explain their proposed project.
That makes the project statement more than an administrative requirement.
It is an opportunity to demonstrate:
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What you want to investigate
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Why the issue matters
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What you hope to learn
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Who you intend to speak with
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How the project could influence your work after Oxford
The Institute asks applicants to explain what they would spend their time reading about and who they would talk to as part of the project.
Current Application Status
Applications for fellowships beginning in the 2026–27 academic year are closed.
The Reuters Institute says applications will reopen in January 2027.
Prospective applicants should therefore use the intervening period to develop their project proposal, update their CV, collect work samples and secure professional references.
Who Is This Fellowship For?
The programme is particularly relevant to:
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Mid-career journalists
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Editors
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Newsroom professionals
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Experienced freelance journalists
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Journalists interested in research and media development
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Professionals who intend to return to journalism after the fellowship
It is not designed as an entry-level journalism programme.
What Should Applicants Do Before January 2027?
Use the preparation period to:
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Identify a specific journalism issue you want to investigate.
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Develop a research question.
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Gather relevant published work.
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Update your CV.
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Identify professional referees.
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Discuss leave arrangements with your employer where necessary.
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Begin drafting your personal statement.
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Study previous fellows’ projects to understand the programme’s research orientation.
Verification Note
Opportunities With Igbinovia reviewed the programme and application requirements against the Reuters Institute’s official information on September 28, 2026. Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are closed and are expected to reopen in January 2027. Requirements and funding arrangements should be confirmed when the next application window opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can African journalists apply?
Yes. The Reuters Institute explicitly accepts applications from journalists in Africa and other regions.
How much journalism experience is required?
The standard requirement is more than five years of journalistic experience, although the Institute says equivalent expertise may be considered in exceptional cases.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes. Freelancing is not a barrier to application.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
Most fellows are fully funded. The Institute says funded fellows receive fee coverage, a £2,000 monthly stipend and support for travel to and from the UK and visa costs. Funding arrangements can vary by fellowship.
How long is the fellowship?
Fellowships last three or six months depending on the funding arrangement.
When will applications reopen?
The Reuters Institute says applications will reopen in January 2027.
Final Takeaway
The Reuters Institute Journalist Fellowship is best suited to experienced journalists who have a clear professional question or research project they want to explore.
For African journalists considering the next cycle, the months before January 2027 can be used to develop a focused project, gather strong work samples and prepare the required statements and references.
