The Knight-Wallace Fellowships 2027–28 at the University of Michigan offer experienced journalists a US$85,000 stipend, US$5,000 for relocation and an eight-month professional development experience. International applications close on 1 December 2026.
Background & Fellowship Description
The University of Michigan’s Wallace House Center for Journalists is accepting applications for the 2027–2028 Knight-Wallace Fellowships, an opportunity for experienced journalists to develop their skills, pursue independent journalism projects and explore new approaches to their profession.
The fellowship runs for approximately eight months, from late August 2027 through April 2028, and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
Selected fellows receive a US$85,000 stipend plus US$5,000 for relocation expenses. The programme also provides access to university resources, professional workshops, seminars with journalism leaders and international travel opportunities.
The fellowship is open to eligible journalists from the United States and other countries. International applicants must submit their applications by 1 December 2026, while the deadline for US applicants is 1 February 2027.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Knight-Wallace Fellowships 2027–28 |
| Host institution | University of Michigan |
| Organising centre | Wallace House Center for Journalists |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA |
| Duration | Approximately 8 months |
| Fellowship period | Late August 2027 to April 2028 |
| Stipend | US$85,000 |
| Relocation support | US$5,000 |
| International application deadline | 1 December 2026 |
| US application deadline | 1 February 2027 |
| Official application | Knight-Wallace Fellowship application page |
Fellowship Benefits and Activities
The Knight-Wallace Fellowship is designed to help journalists deepen their expertise, investigate important issues and develop new professional capabilities.
Financial Support
Fellows receive a US$85,000 stipend distributed monthly from August through April, together with US$5,000 for relocation expenses. Wallace House also covers specified costs associated with health insurance, auditing university courses and participating in required workshops and fellowship activities.
Relocation assistance and support with finding suitable housing are also available.
Professional Development
Participants can access University of Michigan faculty and academic resources, attend seminars with newsroom leaders and experts, and take part in workshops designed to strengthen their journalism and leadership skills.
The fellowship also supports individual journalism projects that may focus on developing specialist knowledge, acquiring new skills, addressing newsroom challenges or exploring journalism ventures.
International travel opportunities help fellows gain additional context on political, economic and social issues affecting journalism.
In-Person Participation
Successful fellows must live in Ann Arbor throughout the fellowship, attend programme seminars and events, and make the fellowship their primary professional focus.
Candidates currently employed by a newsroom are encouraged to arrange an approved leave of absence where appropriate.
Qualifications and Eligibility
To qualify for the Knight-Wallace Fellowships 2027–28, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least five years of professional experience.
- Currently work in journalism for a news organisation or as an independent journalist.
- Demonstrate that journalism constitutes the majority of their work if they are not full-time journalists.
- Be prepared to participate in the in-person fellowship in Ann Arbor for its full duration.
- Be able to commit to the programme’s seminars, events and individual study project.
The fellowship welcomes professionals across different areas of journalism, including reporting, editing, data journalism, visual journalism, audio production, audience engagement, design, development, entrepreneurship and organisational change.
Public relations writers, internal trade writers, lobbyists, public advocates and people seeking a degree are not eligible under the stated criteria.
Important Information for International Applicants
Applicants who are not US citizens must use the international application route, even if they currently work for an American news organisation or live in the United States. A US Green Card does not make an applicant a US citizen for this purpose.
Application integrity notice: Wallace House states that applicants must write their own application submissions without AI assistance. Candidates should follow this requirement when preparing their personal statements, project proposals and other application materials.
Additional Information
Applications for the 2027–2028 academic year are open. The programme has separate deadlines and application routes for international and US applicants.
| Applicant category | Deadline |
|---|---|
| International journalists | 1 December 2026 |
| US journalists | 1 February 2027 |
International fellowship offers are expected by mid-February 2027, while offers for US applicants are expected by early May 2027. Fellows should arrive in Ann Arbor by mid-August 2027.
How to apply: Visit the official Knight-Wallace application page, review the eligibility criteria and application instructions for your citizenship category, and submit the required materials through the online application platform.
International applicants must use the international application portal. The official website states that international applications submitted through the US application portal will not be considered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Knight-Wallace Fellowship?
It is an eight-month professional fellowship at the University of Michigan that gives experienced journalists time and resources to pursue journalism projects, develop specialist expertise and strengthen their professional skills.
2. How much funding do fellows receive?
Fellows receive a US$85,000 stipend plus US$5,000 for relocation expenses. Certain health insurance, university course auditing and required programme activity costs are also covered.
3. Who can apply for the fellowship?
Journalists with at least five years of experience who are currently working in journalism for a news organisation or independently may qualify, subject to the programme’s other requirements.
4. Can international journalists apply?
Yes. The programme accepts eligible international journalists. Non-US citizens must apply through the international application route, regardless of where they work.
5. What is the international application deadline?
The deadline for international applicants is 1 December 2026.
6. What is the deadline for US applicants?
US applicants must submit their applications by 1 February 2027.
7. Where does the fellowship take place?
The fellowship is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and fellows must reside there throughout the programme.
8. Is this a university degree programme?
No. It is a professional journalism fellowship, not a degree-seeking programme.
9. What documents are required?
The application process includes a résumé, personal statement, journalism project proposal and work samples, along with other requested information. Applicants should consult the official instructions for their category. Wallace House requires applicants to prepare their submissions without AI assistance.
10. How can I apply?
Review the instructions and access the application through the official Knight-Wallace Fellowships website.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Knight-Wallace Fellowships 2027–28 may be particularly valuable for established journalists seeking dedicated time to investigate complex issues, develop new skills and build professional networks. The financial support, university access and structured professional development are key benefits.
Applicants should pay careful attention to the five-year experience requirement, the in-person residency commitment, the separate application deadlines and the rule requiring application materials to be written without AI assistance.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares fellowship and career opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the University of Michigan or Wallace House and does not manage recruitment or selection. Applicants should verify all requirements and deadlines through the official fellowship website.
SEO Keywords: Knight-Wallace Fellowships 2027–28, Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship, US$85,000 journalism fellowship, fully funded journalism fellowships 2027, international journalist fellowships USA, University of Michigan fellowships, journalism professional development, journalist relocation grant, Wallace House Fellowship, journalism opportunities for African journalists, journalism fellowship application deadline 2026
