Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Overseas Press Club Foundation
Overview
The Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing international journalism. The program is open to students at North American colleges and universities, including American students studying abroad, and focuses on helping early-career journalists launch professional careers. In a typical year the Foundation grants a set of scholar awards to enable academic projects or placements with leading news organizations. Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in international reporting and a plan for how the award will advance their journalistic goals.
Description: Competitive scholarships and fellowships awarded annually to students with demonstrated interest and experience in international journalism.
- Aimed at launching careers in international journalism rather than mid-career support.
- Open to students enrolled at North American institutions and U.S. students abroad.
- Supports both independent projects and placements with major news bureaus.
Eligibility
Applicants must be college juniors, seniors, or graduate students enrolled in a degree program at the application deadline. The program accepts students of any nationality who are enrolled at North American colleges and universities, as well as American students studying abroad. Candidates should have demonstrated interest in international issues and journalism, and the Foundation favors applicants intending to pursue international reporting rather than return to domestic local reporting. The program prioritizes early-career journalists over mid-career professionals.
Eligibility: Enrollment as a junior, senior, or graduate student at the application deadline; demonstrated interest in international journalism; open to students at North American institutions and U.S. students abroad.
- Must be enrolled in a degree program at the application deadline.
- Students of any nationality who study in North America are eligible.
- Program targets those committed to pursuing international journalism careers.
Award Value
Each year the Foundation typically awards a package of scholar awards to multiple recipients. Winners receive either a $3,000 scholarship to support independent work or a $4,000 fellowship intended to fund time in a news organization’s bureau. Recipient placements have included bureaus at major outlets such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg. A portion of the awards is reserved for work in international business or economic coverage.
Award Value: $3,000 scholarships for independent projects or $4,000 fellowships for placements with leading news bureaus; some awards reserved for economic coverage.
- Two award types: $3,000 for independent work, $4,000 for bureau fellowships.
- Fellowships used to fund time in established news organizations.
- Several awards reserved for international business/economic reporting.
Application Requirements
Applications must include three required elements: a one-page cover letter, a one-page resume, and a work sample (print, photo, video, or audio). Work-sample requirements vary by medium and may require an accompanying contextualizing writing sample. Applicants should follow length and format guidelines closely and provide clear evidence of reporting skills and international focus.
Application Materials: A one-page autobiographical cover letter, a one-page resume emphasizing journalism and language/media skills, and a work sample chosen from print, photo, video, or audio categories.
- COVER LETTER: One page; autobiographical and career-focused. Explain how your interest in journalism and specific regions or issues developed, how the award would further your career, and clarify any gaps or unusual progressions in your record.
- RESUME: One page; emphasize journalism experience, language and media skills, and visa/passport status for working overseas. Include domestic or international postings, freelance published work, and independent projects.
- WORK SAMPLE (choose one):
- Print journalism: Submit a 600–800 word writing sample focused on an area of the world or an international issue; indicate prior publication or editing and whether it was a school project. Applicants need not have traveled abroad to submit a relevant piece.
- Photojournalism: Provide a PDF of photos or a link to online work. Include a ~500-word contextualizing statement explaining how the images were captured and their significance.
- Video and audio journalism: Provide a link to online work. Entries should be 2–7 minutes, demonstrate a full story arc, and be primarily of international interest. Include a ~500-word contextualizing statement describing capture methods, significance, the applicant’s role, and credits for all team members.
- Three required elements: cover letter, resume, and a single work sample.
- Follow length and format requirements precisely for each medium.
- Provide contextualizing statements for photo, video, and audio entries and credit collaborators where applicable.
Additional Notes
Applicants may submit previously published work as long as it is reformatted to meet application requirements; however, do not submit a clip or URL for the writing sample itself. Judges favor original reporting that demonstrates a clear beginning, middle, and end, strong reporting skills, and a sense of perspective. Excessively long applications risk disqualification, so materials should be concise and carefully proofread. Applicants interested in economic coverage are encouraged to submit samples demonstrating understanding of trade, finance, emerging markets, immigration, climate, or public health as they relate to global economics.
Additional Notes: Reformat published work to application specifications; judges look for original reporting and narrative structure; proofread and keep submissions concise.
- Do not submit a clip or URL for the writing sample; follow instructions for each medium.
- Strong original reporting and clear narrative structure are highly valued.
- Four awards target international business/economic coverage—submit relevant samples if applicable.