Deadline: February 15, 2026
Applications are open for the World Press Institute (WPI) Fellowship 2026. Each year, WPI selects top international journalists for an immersive program that explores the US media, culture, politics, and issues of the day. The chosen finalists represent some of the best journalists in their respective countries. They are innately curious, intelligent and ambitious, and approach journalism with a deep sense of dedication and responsibility.
Does that sound like you? Then consider applying.
Program Details
Gain access to, engage in and observe the role, responsibility and impact of a free press firsthand in one of the world’s largest, most diverse democracies. Through an immersive program, you will learn how the U.S. founding principles of a free press and journalistic best practices help foster transparency and accountability of government institutions, businesses and organizations, including the most powerful ones.
In a guided tour across the country – including DC, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, and more – you will meet with and interview subject matter experts in media outlets, think tanks and advocacy organizations. You will hear firsthand accounts of new business models being tested and implemented among national and local media outlets.
You will learn about U.S. history and current affairs, as well as challenges the U.S. media faces, while experiencing and reporting on social, economic and political issues. You also will interact with people from a variety of walks of life and get some free time along the way to explore on your own.
Cost
WPI pays the following program expenses:
- Transportation
- Roundtrip airfare to the United States.
- Travel within the United States related to the WPI program.
- Lodging: World Press Institute provides comfortable lodging for journalists during an immersive program.
- Food: Fellows receive a modest daily allowance to purchase food.
Eligibility
- At least five years of full-time employment in print, broadcast or online journalism, including:
- News or editorial departments of newspapers, wire services, radio, television, websites or online publications.
- Photojournalists, editorial cartoonists, columnists and broadcast producers.
- Those who supervise journalists are eligible if they also have at least five years as a working journalist.
- Any journalism-related work completed as a university student does not count toward experience. Those who work in public relations or at organizations whose primary business is not the media are not eligible.
- Must be currently employed as a non-U.S. journalist working outside of the United States.
- Fluency in both written and spoken English.
- Potential for leadership.
Application
Applications for the 2026 program will be open from December 1, 2025 – February 15, 2026 and the cohort will be announced in May 2026.
For more information, visit WPI Fellowship.