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Frequently Asked Questions
About
What is the Tarbell Fellowship?
The Tarbell Fellowship is a year-long programme for early-career journalists interested in improving the world. Fellows receive a stipend of up to $50,000, mentorship from experienced journalists and training to write about the world's most important problems.
Why is it called the Tarbell Fellowship?
The Tarbell Fellowship is named in honour of Ida Tarbell. Tarbell was a pioneering investigative journalist, best known for writing The History of the Standard Oil Company. This seminal piece detailed the rise of Standard Oil and exposed its use of unfair and illegal practices, hastening the dissolution of Standard Oil as a monopoly. Tarbell's work is a striking example of the power of dedicated journalists to effect real change.
I want to write about ___. Will the Tarbell Fellowship support that?
In 2024, we'll only support Fellows interested in covering emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence. Within this, we don't dictate exactly which topics Tarbell Fellows cover or how they cover them. Instead, we provide the time and resources to think carefully about the best ways to cover this area.
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship is 9-12 months. All fellows are subject to a 3 month probationary period.
Is the fellowship paid?
Fellows receive a stipend of $35,000 to $50,000 depending on location and personal circumstances.
Is the fellowship full time?
The fellowship is a full time commitment. In exceptional circumstances, we may be willing to support part-time fellows (e.g. those in a complementary career to journalism). Please detail this in your application if relevant.
Is the fellowship remote?
The fellowship is designed to be remote-first. All fellows are expected to attend the Oxford Summit in person in June. We're excited to support early-career journalists from around the globe. However, we strongly encourage fellows to move to international journalism hubs for the duration of this fellowship. We expect this to accelerate fellows’ careers and will give preferential treatment to those willing to do this. We may be able to provide office space in hubs such as London and New York.
What is the Oxford Summit?
The fellowship will launch with the Oxford Summit. This is an intensive fortnight of guest speakers, workshops and networking events in Oxford & London. It will take place June 15th-22nd 2024.
Will costs be covered for the Oxford Summit?
Yes, all travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered.
How does the Tarbell Fellowship support diversity initiatives?
We strive to recruit a cohort from a diversity of backgrounds. We believe that a journalism industry composed of people with diverse backgrounds better reflects the society we cover. All writing samples and work samples are graded blind and we consider the composition of the entire cohort when selecting Fellows.
Will I get to know the other Tarbell Fellows?
Yes. In addition to the Oxford Summit, you will interact with your cohort on a fortnightly basis. Fellows will attend interactive learning sessions, speaker events and may also work together on assignments. We intend to foster a culture of collaboration and a thriving community of impact-focused journalists.
Will the Tarbell Fellowship help me secure a placement?
We will assist all fellows in securing a 9-month placement by connecting fellows with relevant outlets and arranging placements. We also encourage fellows to arrange their own placements.
When will my placement start?
Most fellows will begin their placements in July 2024. However, we are willing to accommodate earlier or later start dates in exceptional circumstances (e.g. for candidates completing a graduate degree).
Will I attend professional conferences?
We encourage fellows to attend professional conferences during the year, such as NABJ, NAHJ, SRCCON, NICAR, or EA Global.
Who is running the Tarbell Fellowship?
The fellowship is a project of Training for Good, an impact-focused career organisation. Training for Good runs fellowships that enable talented young professionals to enter careers in policy and journalism tackling the most pressing global problems.
Who is funding the Tarbell Fellowship?
The fellowship has received support from Open Philanthropy, the Robert and Virginia Shiller Foundation, ACX Grants, and a number of independent donors. The Tarbell Fellowship accepts financial contributions of any amount. If you’d like to support our journalists, you can make a gift here or get in touch.
Apply
When do applications open for the fellowship?
Applications open annually in September.
When do applications close for the fellowship?
Applications for the 2024 intake close on November 5th 2023.
When will I hear back about my application?
All applicants should expect to hear whether they have progressed to the second stage of the application process within ten days of the application deadline.
When will I know if I've been accepted?
Fellows are chosen by December.
Is there an age limit for the fellowship?
There is no age limit for applying.
Do I qualify as an "early-career journalist"?
The fellowship is designed to support those early in their journalism career, i.e. with 0-5 years relevant experience. We welcome applications from mid-career professionals hoping to transition to a career in journalism. You may still apply if you have 5+ years of journalism experience, however you are somewhat less likely to be accepted.
I'm based in ______, can I apply?
Yes. We're excited to support early-career journalists from around the globe. However, we strongly encourage fellows to move to international journalism hubs for the duration of this fellowship. We expect this to accelerate fellows’ careers and will give preferential treatment to those willing to do this. We may be able to provide office space in hubs such as London and New York.
Do I need to have a university degree to apply?
No, you do not. We expect that many of our most successful fellows may not have a degree.