About the Fellowship

The City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellowship is a paid, 16-week opportunity for emerging journalists looking to grow their skills in reporting, community engagement and leadership. Fellows attend weekly workshops and report in teams, producing and publishing information on sociopolitical issues facing Chicago’s communities of color. City Bureau places an emphasis on racial equity and community engagement, and participants can expect to have critical conversations about the media industry through those lenses. All participants are encouraged to think creatively about how to improve the news and information ecosystem to reach Chicagoans in communities of color. 

Fellows’ work has been published online and in print, aired on radio and TV and through engagement methods, such as flyers and text-messaging apps. Some have gone on to work at traditional media organizations or have launched their own media or civic engagement projects. Fellows will join our growing City Bureau alumni network and our wider community, as well as forge connections in Chicago’s journalism world.

What you’ll do:

  • Practice and improve your reporting skills (interviewing techniques, public records requests, research skills, etc.) and engagement skills (facilitation, event planning, relationship building, etc.)

  • Help develop a publishing plan that centers Chicago’s BIPOC communities as sources, collaborators and audience members

  • Draft and publish at least one written story with a byline

  • Work in a collaborative, hands-on learning environment with a City Bureau staff reporter and three other fellowship teammates

  • Get detailed, one-on-one feedback from a City Bureau editor

  • Attend workshops led by City Bureau staff members and guest speakers, including career preparation workshops in the final month (resumes, cover letters, pitching)

Scroll down to find out why you’d make an amazing Civic Reporting Fellow and find links to the application. See testimonials from past program participants here and select projects here.

Timeline for Winter 2024 and Beyond

** We continue to closely monitor local public health conditions, including the prevalence of COVID-19. City Bureau encourages all employees and fellowship participants to receive a COVID-19 vaccination to protect themselves and the communities we cover. COVID-19 testing may be required.

Starting in 2023, we are offering a rolling application with multiple start dates. If you apply, you’ll be asked to indicate your availability for any Fellowship in the upcoming year. Here are the tentative dates for upcoming Fellowship sessions:

  • CLOSED — Fall 2023: October 16 to February 9 (2024)

  • CLOSED — Winter 2024: January 15 to May 3

    • Interviews will be December 13-20. All applicants will be notified of final status by December 22.

  • Spring 2024: April 8 to July 26

    • Applications close March 3

  • Summer 2024: July 1 to October 18

  • Fall 2024: September 23 to January 31 (2025)

Qualifications, Expectations and Application

If you’re a strong writer and chronically inquisitive person who wants a hands-on learning experience in community-engaged, civic journalism, this opportunity is for you. 

City Bureau Civic Reporting Fellows typically have a demonstrated interest in journalism and civic issues (i.e. community organizing, civic engagement, policy, etc.) through personal projects, previous training/school, internships, etc. No professional experience is required.

Journalists specializing in any medium may apply to be Reporting Fellows, but please note that the program focuses on growing fellow’s reporting tools, writing and engagement skills.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who have worked closely with South and West Side communities. Applicants must be living in or around Chicago to participate. 

Due to the demands of the fellowship, we do not recommend full-time students apply for this position. On rare occasions we make exceptions for students who can demonstrate their ability to manage multiple time obligations well.

time commitment and pay

Reporters will commit to 15 hours of work per week for 16 weeks and will be paid a $6,000 stipend in 2-week increments. The weekly time requirements include:

  • Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. — Virtual learning session

  • Wednesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. — In-person workshop sessions at City Bureau’s Bronzeville office, dinner included

  • Weekly three-hour meeting with your team — Time and location to be determined by your team

  • Eight additional hours per week (flexible based on your own schedule) of reporting/research/writing/editing and communicating with your reporting team

Fellows can miss up to four required sessions during their 16 weeks, however, they will be asked to make up their time commitment during adjacent weeks.

If you have any questions regarding the expectations or your application, please email fellowship@citybureau.org.