Great Lakes Local News Fellowship 2026-2027

The Great Lakes Local News Fellowship supports the development of new or reimagined locally-focused journalism projects serving communities in the Great Lakes states. It provides fellowship support and training to two journalists or journalism strategists, with access to experts in entrepreneurship, business law, organizational development, and post-fellowship consulting to help develop entrepreneurial journalism projects.

Fellowship support and training, access to experts in entrepreneurship, business law, organizational development and post-fellowship consulting to aid in developing and implementing entrepreneurial journalism projects.

Open to U.S. journalists and journalism strategists building or growing local news outlets in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio or Wisconsin. Applicants should have at least five years of working experience and intend to stay in the focus community after the fellowship.

Applicants must explain their connection to local news in one of the Great Lakes states and describe their entrepreneurial journalism project and how the fellowship would help them achieve their goals; include details on skills they have and need to develop.