The Nieman-Berkman Fellowship in Journalism Innovation will bring at least one individual to Harvard University for the 2014-15 academic year to work on a specific course of research or a specific project relating to journalism innovation.
The fellowship is a collaboration between two parts of Harvard: the
Nieman Foundation for Journalism and the
Berkman Center for Internet & Society. Both share a set of common interests around journalism, innovation, and the evolution of the digital space. And both have longstanding fellowship programs that give people a year to learn and collaborate with others in the Harvard community.
The Nieman-Berkman Fellow will be a joint fellow between the two centers — a full Nieman Fellow and a full Berkman Fellow.
The Nieman-Berkman CandidateCandidates will be asked to propose a specific course of study or project relating to journalism innovation. That proposal could deal with any issue relating to journalism’s digital transformation. Examples might include ideas for new revenue streams to fund journalism, the construction of new tools for reporting, or research into news consumption patterns. The candidate’s application must make it clear how his or her proposal will benefit the field.
The Nieman-Berkman Fellow will be able to draw upon the wealth of resources available at Harvard and in the surrounding area for his or her work. Along with the Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Center, Cambridge is home to institutions like the
Harvard Business School, MIT’s
Center for Civic Media, the
Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, the
Shorenstein Center for Press, Politics and Public Policy, and others relating to journalism’s evolution.
Our goal is to identify candidates who would benefit from the time and resources the fellowship provides, and whose work during the year at Harvard would benefit journalism more broadly.
Day-to-day Life of the Nieman-Berkman FellowThe primary responsibility of the fellow will be to execute the proposal that earned him or her the fellowship.
In addition, the fellow will be expected to spend the year in residence in Cambridge and to be a full participant in both the Nieman and Berkman fellowship communities.
In terms of specific time commitments, that includes attendance at Nieman and Berkman events designed for the fellows, such as the weekly Berkman Fellows’ hour on Tuesdays and the Nieman Fellows’ seminar on Wednesdays. More broadly, it means engagement with both communities and serving as part of the bridge between them. We believe journalists and technologists have important things to teach one another, and the Nieman-Berkman Fellow will be part of that information sharing.
Finally, the Nieman-Berkman Fellow will be expected to share the results of his or her work with other fellows and through the
Nieman Journalism Lab.
EligibilityThe Nieman-Berkman Fellowship is open to both United States citizens and citizens of other countries.
Candidates should either be working journalists or work for a news organization in a business, technology, or leadership capacity. Independent journalists are also welcome to apply.
The Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Center share a commitment to diversity and encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups.
Learn more about the requirements and stipulations for eligibility.
Financial TermsThe Nieman-Berkman Fellow will receive the
standard Nieman Fellowship stipend from the Nieman Foundation, which is $60,000 over 10 months. Fellows receive additional allowances for housing, childcare, and health insurance, which differ in size depending on their family situation.
How to ApplyYou apply through the Nieman Fellowship
online application process.
The deadline for applications in
Jan. 31, 2014.
Once submitted, your application will be evaluated by a joint Berkman and Nieman review team.
Interviews with finalists will be held in the spring, and, if a satisfactory candidate is found, the winner will be notified in April.
For More InformationFor questions about the application process, email Nieman fellowship administrator John Breen at
john_breen@harvard.edu.
For questions about the fellowship itself, email Joshua Benton (Nieman) at
joshua_benton@harvard.edu or Colin Maclay (Berkman) at
cmaclay@cyber.law.harvard.edu.
