blue, orange and green block style format infographic with application process text

The Fellowship Application for the 2025 - 2027 cohort 

 

The application process is open for early-career journalists to apply to the California Local News Fellowship, a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local reporting, with a focus on underserved communities. This full-time, paid fellowship will place early-career journalists (with up to five years of experience) in California newsrooms for two years, starting in September 2025.   

The application period for the 2025–2027 fellowship is now closed.

The program is open to digital, print, video, audio, photo, and multimedia journalists. We’re looking for candidates with relevant experience as much as formal education. Successful applicants will demonstrate core reporting skills, a commitment to a career in journalism and an interest in reporting in underserved communities.

Key dates to note:

  • January 22: Application opens
  • February 21: Application closes
  • Late March: Finalists announced
  • April: Fellow/newsroom interviews 
  • May: Matching offers begin
  • Early September: Orientation and fellowship begins