Apply for the New York Times Fellowship: Kickstart Your Journalism Career

Are you an aspiring journalist with a passion for storytelling and a track record of strong reporting? The New York Times is now accepting applications for its prestigious 2025–26 Fellowship program—a full-time, yearlong opportunity designed to mentor and train the next generation of journalists. Whether you’re a reporter, visual journalist, editor, or part of the new A.I. or News Video tracks, this fellowship offers a rare chance to work in one of the world’s most influential newsrooms.

When is the deadline for applications?

🗓️ December 2, 2024 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time

Describe the New York Times Fellowship to me:

The New York Times Fellowship is a paid, yearlong work program designed to mentor and develop the next generation of journalists. Fellows are placed across the newsroom and Opinion teams, and they work full time on assignments including breaking news, enterprise reporting, editing, visuals, and more.

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Which fields qualify?

📰 Journalism roles including:

• Reporting
• Editing
• Visual journalism
• Opinion writing
• Video journalism (new in 2025)
• A.I. initiatives (new in 2025)

The type:

💼 Paid professional fellowship (not academic)

Who is eligible to apply?

✅ You must:

• Have some newsroom or equivalent journalism experience
• Show a track record of independent, high-quality reporting or storytelling
• Be early-career, with no more than five years of professional journalism experience beyond internships
• Be available for full-time work from June 2, 2025

How Do They Choose Applicants?

🎯 Selection is based on:

• Demonstrated journalism skill
• Reporting or storytelling ability
• Experience in a newsroom or equivalent role
• Passion for journalism aligned with the mission of The New York Times

Which nations are qualified?

🌍 Not restricted by nationality — open to global applicants, but fellows are expected to work on-site in New York, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C., and must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Where will the prize be accepted?

📍 The New York Times offices in New York, San Francisco, or Washington, D.C.

How Many Honors?

🔢 Not specified — but in past years, 20–30 fellows have been selected per class.

What Advantage Does the Award Offer?

💰 Full-time paid position
🩺 Health benefits
📚 Training, mentorship, writing coach access, speaker series
📰 Hands-on journalism experience at one of the world’s leading newsrooms

What’s the Duration of the Award?

📆 12 months (starts June 2, 2025)

How do I Apply for the New York Times Fellowship?

📝 Apply online by submitting:

• Résumé
• Work samples (typically 5)
• Answers to short questions
• Optional cover letter
  🔗 Apply Here

📌 Important: Applications close at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 2, 2024

Visit the Fellowship Webpage for Details

🔗 NYT Fellowship Program Overview

🗞️ New York Times Fellowship 2025–26 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ What is the New York Times Fellowship?

The New York Times Fellowship is a paid, yearlong journalism program designed to support and train early-career journalists in reporting, editing, visual journalism, opinion writing, and more. It offers on-the-job experience at The Times’ offices in New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

❓ Who can apply for the New York Times Fellowship?

Applicants must:

• Be early-career journalists (typically with less than 5 years of post-internship experience)
• Show a strong track record of independent journalism
• Be legally eligible to work in the U.S. (or secure necessary work authorization)

❓ How do I apply for the New York Times Fellowship 2025–26?

You can apply online by visiting the official application page:
👉 Apply Here
Deadline: December 2, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. Eastern

❓ What is the salary for the New York Times Fellowship?

The New York Times Fellowship is a paid, full-time position. While the exact salary isn’t always published, previous fellows have reported earning around $70,000 USD annually, plus benefits such as health insurance.

❓ What benefits do fellows receive?

• Full-time salary
• Health and other employment benefits
• Mentorship and access to a writing coach
• Professional development sessions
• Hands-on newsroom experience

❓ Is the New York Times Fellowship competitive?

Yes, it is highly competitive. Each year, thousands apply for a limited number of fellowship positions. Candidates are judged on journalistic merit, originality, and potential.

❓ What fields or roles are included in the fellowship?

• Reporting (local, national, international, etc.)
• Editing
• Visual journalism
• Opinion writing
• News video production
• New in 2025: A.I. Initiatives Fellowship

❓ Is the New York Times Fellowship open to international applicants?

Yes, international applicants can apply. However, candidates must be able to secure work authorization for the United States.

❓ Where is the fellowship based?

Fellows are based in:

• 🗽 New York
• 🌉 San Francisco
• 🇺🇸 Washington, D.C.

❓ How long is the fellowship?

The fellowship lasts 1 year and begins on June 2, 2025.

❓ What is the application deadline?

📅 December 2, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

❓ Does Rory Gilmore get the New York Times Fellowship?

This is a reference to the fictional character Rory Gilmore from Gilmore Girls. In the series finale, Rory turns down a job offer to pursue a reporting opportunity covering Barack Obama’s presidential campaign — not a New York Times Fellowship.

❓ What is the New York Times First Amendment Fellowship?

It’s a separate legal fellowship offered by The Times that focuses on First Amendment law, typically for law graduates. It’s distinct from the general journalism fellowship.

❓ How does the NYT Fellowship compare to other journalism fellowships?

The NYT Fellowship is considered one of the most prestigious journalism fellowships globally due to its immersive, hands-on newsroom experience, mentorship, and visibility. Other top fellowships include:

• ProPublica’s Emerging Reporters Program
• Knight-Wallace Fellowship
• NPR Kroc Fellowship
• Nieman Fellowship at Harvard