The National Press Club Journalism Institute and the Common Health Coalition have announced a new Public Health Reporting Fellowship for mid-career journalists. This six-month fellowship is designed to support impactful reporting on the intersection of public health policy and healthcare delivery. Five fellows will be selected to receive up to $7,500 each to fund significant journalism projects, which must be completed and published by July 2025. The program is open to newsroom and freelance journalists with at least 10 years of professional experience, and applications are due by January 6, 2025.

Fellowship projects should address critical public health issues at the community, regional, state, or national level. These stories, which can be presented in any format—print, digital, audio, visual, or broadcast—must be published or distributed by a U.S.-based media outlet. Applicants must submit a proposal outlining their project and include a letter of support from their employer or the intended publishing outlet. While prior experience in public health reporting is not required, applicants must demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to the topic.

The fellowship provides extensive support, including a virtual orientation with training on public health topics, monthly virtual checkpoints, and mentorship from public health experts and experienced journalists. Fellows will also participate in a publicly available webinar to share insights and methodologies from their projects, aiming to inspire and assist other reporters in pursuing similar work.

The program emphasizes the need for quality, solutions-focused journalism that bridges healthcare and public health systems. Dave A. Chokshi, MD, MSc, chair of the Common Health Coalition, highlighted the importance of uncovering partnerships that strengthen health systems and improve community health outcomes. Beth Francesco, executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, noted that the fellowship aims to address the resource and time constraints that often limit in-depth health journalism.

Fellows will receive guidance tailored to their specific projects, as well as access to resources and data through monthly mentorship sessions. The initiative is funded by the Common Health Coalition with an initial investment of $50,000 and is hosted by the National Press Club Journalism Institute, a nonprofit committed to advancing public interest journalism.

For more information or to apply, visit the National Press Club Journalism Institute’s website. Questions about the fellowship can be directed to Beth Francesco at bfrancesco@press.org.