The Stigler Center at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business has opened applications for its Journalists in Residence Program 2027, offering experienced journalists from around the world an opportunity to spend approximately 12 weeks at the university’s Chicago campus.
The programme is designed for journalists who want to deepen their understanding of political economy, business, markets and the interaction between politics and the economy. Successful participants will receive a $14,000 stipend to support living expenses during the programme, along with several additional benefits.
The Spring 2027 cohort is scheduled to take place from March 15 to May 31, 2027, subject to confirmation.
University of Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program 2027
The Stigler Center launched its Journalists in Residence Program in 2017 as part of its mission to strengthen public debate around the relationship between politics and the economy.
The programme provides journalists with an intensive learning and networking experience at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Participants will spend approximately 12 weeks at the Chicago Hyde Park campus, where they will audit classes, attend seminars and workshops, collaborate with other journalists and engage with university scholars.
The programme is intended for journalists with professional experience who are interested in developing deeper expertise in political economy and related subjects.
What Does the Program Offer?
Selected participants will receive a range of financial, academic and professional benefits.
The programme package includes:
- $14,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the 12-week programme.
- Reimbursement for economy-class airfare to and from Chicago.
- Reimbursement of SEVIS and visa application fees.
- Opportunity to audit classes at Chicago Booth.
- Access to seminars and workshops at Chicago Booth and across the University of Chicago.
- Opportunities to collaborate with Booth faculty, students and fellow participants.
- Opportunity to contribute to ProMarket.
- Health insurance through the University of Chicago’s student/visitor plan.
- Housing guidance and resources for short-term accommodation in Chicago.
- Certificate of participation after successfully completing the programme.
International participants should note that the $14,000 stipend may be subject to tax withholding of up to 14 percent. Participants are also responsible for understanding how applicable tax treaties may affect their stipend.
Health insurance is mandatory and is paid from the programme stipend unless participants can provide proof of equivalent coverage.
Who Can Apply?
The Journalists in Residence Program is designed for journalists working across different forms of media around the world.
Applicants are encouraged to apply if they have:
- At least several years of journalism experience.
- Proficiency in English.
- A strong interest in political economy.
- An interest in business reporting, markets, public policy or the relationship between politics and the economy.
- A desire to deepen their knowledge and professional skills through an intensive academic experience.
The programme welcomes journalists from different media backgrounds, making it suitable for professionals working across traditional and digital media.
What Will Participants Do?
The programme requires participants to actively engage with the academic and professional environment at Chicago Booth and the wider University of Chicago.
Participants are expected to:
- Audit three classes.
- Participate in classes and complete required readings and assignments.
- Attend Stigler Center seminars, lectures and conferences.
- Participate in social events and other activities recommended by the centre.
- Engage respectfully with fellow participants and the wider university community.
- Work collaboratively with their cohort.
- Agree to follow the programme and university guidelines.
Participants must also have sufficient personal funds to cover their living expenses during approximately the first month because stipend disbursement can take up to one month to process.
Professional Development and Networking
One of the major benefits of the Journalists in Residence Program is the opportunity to build professional relationships with journalists, academics, researchers and students.
Participants can interact with world-class faculty and other journalists from different countries while gaining exposure to academic research on political economy.
The programme also provides opportunities to write for ProMarket, the Stigler Center’s publication, potentially giving participants an additional platform to develop and showcase their reporting and analysis.
The experience is designed to help journalists strengthen their understanding of complex economic and political issues that influence markets and societies.
When Will the 2027 Program Take Place?
The Spring 2027 cohort is tentatively scheduled to run from:
March 15 to May 31, 2027.
The programme will take place primarily at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus in Chicago, United States.
Participants should be prepared to engage fully with the programme throughout the 12-week period.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Spring 2027 Journalists in Residence Program is:
September 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Chicago time (CT).
Applicants are encouraged to complete their applications before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
Decisions are expected to be announced by the end of December 2026.
How to Apply
Interested journalists should apply through the official University of Chicago Booth application system for the Stigler Center Journalists in Residence Program.
Applicants should carefully review the programme requirements and application instructions before submitting their materials.
Because the programme is highly selective and receives applications from journalists around the world, candidates should ensure that their application clearly demonstrates their professional journalism experience and interest in political economy.
University of Chicago Booth Journalists in Residence Program 2027 at a Glance
Programme: Stigler Center Journalists in Residence Program
Institution: University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Location: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Programme duration: Approximately 12 weeks
Cohort: Spring 2027
Tentative dates: March 15 – May 31, 2027
Stipend: $14,000
Airfare: Economy-class airfare reimbursed
Visa/SEVIS fees: Reimbursed
Health insurance: Provided through UChicago plan, with cost taken from stipend
Eligibility: Journalists from around the world
Application deadline: September 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. CT
Decision date: By end of December 2026
Why Journalists Should Consider the Program
The Journalists in Residence Program offers an unusual opportunity for experienced journalists to combine professional development with academic learning at one of the world’s leading business schools.
Participants can gain deeper knowledge of political economy, access university courses and seminars, develop relationships with scholars and fellow journalists, and explore new approaches to business and economic reporting.
For journalists seeking to strengthen their ability to investigate and explain complex relationships between markets, government and society, the programme can provide valuable academic and professional exposure.
