The application is closed for California newsrooms to apply to be part of the fourth cohort of the California Local News Fellowship program, a state-funded initiative to support and strengthen local reporting, focusing on underserved communities.
This year, we are excited to offer opportunities to host two different types of fellows:
- Reporting fellows: We will place approximately 30 general reporting fellows in newsrooms around the state. These slots are open to newsrooms that have never hosted a California Local News Fellow as well as returning newsrooms whose fellows have completed their term by September 2026.
- Editing fellows: We are piloting a new, one-year editing fellowship in partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education to help train and support the next generation of editors in California. This pilot cohort will include five editing fellows and is open to all newsrooms, including those currently hosting a reporting fellow. Read more about the editing fellowship here.
The application period for the 2026-2028 newsroom cohort is now closed.
The fellowship program seeks newsroom applicants from throughout the state that:
- Have a strong track record of producing original local news coverage for their communities.
- Understand and seek to meet their audiences’ information needs.
- Adhere to professional journalistic ethics.
- Support diversity and inclusion in their organizations.
- Have a clear proposal for the fellow’s role and how they will support them.
Please thoroughly review this website, especially the Newsroom FAQ, before you begin the application process. If you have further questions about the program or your application, email us at cafellows@berkeley.edu or schedule time for a brief conversation during our newsroom office hours.
Newsroom applications will be reviewed by the fellowship staff and advisory board. We will notify newsrooms about whether they’ve been accepted by early February 2026.