The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism 2025 offers grants of up to $15,000 to help journalists produce impactful, deeply reported stories that follow the money.
The prestigious non-residency fellowship provides financial and editorial support to freelance and staff journalists working in print, digital, audio, and short-form video. If you’re passionate about corporate accountability, economic inequality, environmental impacts, or financial trends, this opportunity is for you!
Apply now and bring your investigative story to life!
Quick Overview of McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism 2025
- Host Organization: Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Center for Business Journalism
- Grant Amount: Up to $15,000 per project
- Funding Type: Fully Funded Journalism Fellowship
- Media Formats: Print, digital, audio, and short-form video
- Application Deadlines:
- Spring 2025 Fellowship: March 31, 2025
- Fall 2025 Fellowship: October 6, 2025
- Eligibility: Open to freelance and staff journalists worldwide
- Minimum Experience: Five years of professional journalism experience
Perks of the Business Journalism Fellowships
- Grant of up to $15,000 to cover reporting expenses
- Editorial support and mentorship from McGraw Center editors
- Assistance in placing stories in major publications
- Opportunity to publish on the McGraw Center website
- No residency required – work from anywhere
- Open to journalists of color and diverse backgrounds
Benefits of the Journalism Fellowships in the USA
- Financial support for investigative journalism
- Time and resources to work on high-impact stories
- Editorial guidance from top business journalism experts
- Opportunity to publish in major U.S. media outlets
- Recognition as a McGraw Fellow, enhancing career prospects
Exclusions of McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism
- Does not support long-form documentaries
- Not open to students or journalists with less than 5 years of experience
- Stories must be published in English in a U.S.-based outlet
- Does not typically fund book proposals
Eligibility Criteria for Freelance Journalism Fellowships
To apply, you must:
- Have at least five years of professional journalism experience
- Be a freelance or staff journalist in print, digital, audio, or short-form video
- Propose an in-depth business, finance, or economic story
- Have a track record of strong investigative or enterprise journalism
- Be able to complete the project within the Fellowship period
📌 Note: You don’t need to be a business journalist to apply! Many past fellows have covered healthcare, environment, education, and social justice.
Important Dates for the McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism
- Spring 2025 Fellowship Deadline: March 31, 2025
- Fall 2025 Fellowship Deadline: October 6, 2025
- Rolling Applications: Time-sensitive projects may be considered outside of deadlines
How to Apply for the McGraw Fellowship for International Students
Follow these steps to apply:
- Submit an online application with a story proposal (max 3 pages).
- Include three journalism samples showcasing your investigative skills.
- Attach your resume with relevant work experience.
- (Optional) If you already have a media outlet lined up for publication, mention it.
- Finalists will be asked to submit references and a budget estimate.
📌 Tip: Your proposal should highlight what’s new, why it matters, and the potential impact of your story.
Required Documents for the Investigative Journalism Fellowship
- Story Proposal (Max 3 pages) – A detailed pitch explaining your story idea
- Resume – Professional journalism experience
- Three Work Samples – Previously published investigative stories
- References (only for finalists) – Two references from editors or professional contacts
Past McGraw Fellowship Stories
Many high-impact investigative reports have been funded through the McGraw Fellowship, including:
- “The EminiFX Trap” – Exposing a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme (The Haitian Times)
- “Hazard NYC” – Investigating toxic Superfund sites (The CITY)
- “Black Farmers and Ranchers” – Reporting on economic struggles (Center for Public Integrity)
- “Should Hotels Be Held Liable for Human Trafficking?” – A deep dive into accountability (The New Yorker)
For more details, visit the McGraw Center’s official website.
