The Alicia Patterson Journalism Fellowships 2023-USA

Awarding fellowships to journalists to pursue independent projects of significant interest and skepticism that will benefit the public.

The Alicia Patterson Foundation awards grants of $40,000 for twelve months and $20,000 for six months (must cover your travel and research costs) to working journalists to pursue independent projects of significant interest and to write articles based on their investigations for The APF Reporter

The foundation notes, with sadness, the death of Adam Medill Albright, 77, the longtime treasurer and trustee of the Alicia Patterson Foundation. His years of service to the foundation named for his aunt, Alicia Patterson, were a gift to its effective operation. Adam was a stalwart supporter of a free press, clean government, and most crucially, a healthy environment. He was a decades-long board member of the Natural Resources Defense Council and a supporter of the Rocky Mountain Institute and the Rainforest Alliance, among others. He and his wife, Rachel, supported important journalism, environmental protection, and justice initiatives through their ARIA foundation, which they set up three decades ago. An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Adam was a trekker, hiker, skier and world traveler. He is survived by his wife, beloved children Mika, Reed and Garrett and four treasured grandchildren. His contributions to truth and protecting the world’s environment are a lasting legacy. 

Who can apply for a fellowship?

The Alicia Patterson fellowships are open only to U.S. citizens who are fulltime print journalists, or to non-U.S. citizens who work fulltime for U.S. print publications, either in America or abroad. Freelancers are welcome to apply. All applicants, including those being considered for the new Cissy Patterson fellowship for environmental or science topics, should complete the Alicia Patterson Foundation application.

The aim of the trustees who established the foundation was to improve the quality of U.S. print journalism. Foreign journalists seeking fellowship help may want to consult the updated list compiled by the Global Investigative Journalism Network, at gijn.org. Further resources for all journalists are listed at https://savejournalism.org/resources-for-journalists/ or the list compiled by the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at: https://journalism.nyu.edu/career-services/fellowships-and-annual-programs/.

Cissy Patterson Fellowship for Science and Environmental Writers

Beginning with the 2016 fellowship class, an additional fellow specializing in either science or environmental journalism is part of the fellowship class. This fellow will be designated as a Cissy Patterson fellow, in honor of Alicia’s aunt, the publisher Cissy Patterson.

No special application is needed. All fellows apply for the Alicia Patterson fellowship and applications that deal with science or the environment will be considered for this additional fellowship. Science and environmental topics will continue to be awarded Alicia Patterson fellowships.

Apply Online

If you cannot apply online, please contact us at [email protected] so we can help with an alternative.
Your application must be completed by October 1.
Please send in your application early – Early submissions are much appreciated.

Applications need to include:

Fellowship Proposal

A complete, typed statement not to exceed three (3) single-spaced pages, on how you would use an Alicia Patterson Foundation fellowship, and why. A brief summary of the four articles you will be required to write as an APF fellow should be included as part of your statement. Each candidate may submit only one proposal. Two applicants may collaborate on one proposal, for example, a writer and a photographer.

Work Samples

Reporters and Writers

1. Please submit three copies of three articles with publication date and place noted.
2. Please don’t send books or chapters of books.
3. Parts of series counts as one article, so it may be wise to choose only one part of a series and submit two other, unrelated articles in order to show diversity of topics.
4. Please do not submit any more than three articles. The judges will see only three and we’d rather you make the selection. The content of the articles, rather than date or place or publication, is most important.

Editors

Please send three copies of four samples of work you have edited, using the guidelines above. Attach a statement regarding your contribution to the finished product. If you also write, you may substitute two of your own articles in the four sample total.

Photographers

Please submit one set of 8 to 12 samples. These can be published or unpublished photographs.

All Applicants

You will have the option to select a 12 or 6 month fellowships. Note: judges on occasion have awarded a six-month fellowship for an applicant requesting a 12-month grant.

References

Have two (2) persons who are familiar with your work and your proposal submit a letter of recommendation directly to the Foundation by October 1. There is no set template for the letters; please ask recommenders to write about your talents, ability to overcome obstacles, etc. Please list the names and addresses of your references on the application form. Please have reference letters emailed to: [email protected]

Emails are preferred but, if necessary, they can be mailed to:

The Alicia Patterson Foundation
1100 Vermont Ave. NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C. 20005

Professional Autobiography

A statement, not to exceed two (2) single spaced pages, to include reasons for going into journalism, journalistic experience, and future plans.

Estimate Costs

A detailed budget statement, not to exceed one (1) page, to include two categories.

Projected fellowship Costs: Travel, books, short-term housing, etc.

Personal Maintenance: A broad estimate of living expenses for one year for yourself and your family (if any).

At the bottom of your budget page, please indicate what funds, if any, would be available from other sources in support of your proposal fellowship year.

Application Hints and Advice

The foundation does not match salaries. The fellowship stipend is $40,000 for twelve months and $20,000 for six months and must cover your travel and research costs. You also must pay taxes on this income, which most fellows do by submitting quarterly payments to the IRS, as many freelancers do.

We ask that you submit a budget to see how you would accomplish your proposal. Although our project and living expenses may add up to more than the stipend, the Foundation only can provide either $20,000 or $40,000 to each fellow. If you are employed, it is customary for news organization to make up the difference between the stipend and your salary. Many newsrooms require applicants so seek approval of a leave before applying in order to receive the paper or magazine’s financial support. Please check with your newsroom managers first. However, your employer’s ability or willingness to give you support does not affect the selection process.

Applicants selected as semi-finalists will be notified by the end of November. Winners will be chosen mid-December. There are typically 6 to 8 fellows each year. Winners are expected to begin their fellowships within the first three months of the calendar year.