2025-2026 College Journalism Network Fellowship

Are you an undergraduate student journalist at a California college or university? Do you want to gain valuable experience covering higher education, work with other student journalists from around the state and see your stories published by CalMatters?

The CalMatters College Journalism Network is hiring fellows for our 2025-2026 cohort, which begins mid-August and runs through May.

We’re leading a new kind of higher education reporting, with student voices at the center. You will take part in ambitious joint reporting projects with other fellows, as well as cover stories on your own. And you’ll receive training in reporting, higher education policy and navigating the journalism industry.

Fellows devote an average of 10-12 hours per week to the remote fellowship, with a flexible schedule and a stipend of $1,200 per month. Expect to attend weekly, virtual newsroom meetings with the rest of the CJN team, and at least one in-depth, expenses-paid training in Sacramento at the beginning of the program.

Applications are due by Sunday, April 20, 2025. Want to learn more? Our editors will host Application Open Houses to answer your questions. Find the schedule below. RSVP here. 

• Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19
• 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 2
• 4-5 p.m. Friday, April 11

In lieu of a formal cover letter, please answer the following questions and attach your responses as part of your application. If you have any questions or concerns please contact [email protected]. 

• Why do you want to be part of the CalMatters College Journalism Network? Tell us about your passion for journalism and how this position will help you with your career goals.
• What is one issue affecting students that you think hasn’t been reported enough? Why do you think it’s important? Pitch us a higher education story with a brief plan of how you’d cover it.
• The College Journalism Network seeks to recruit a team of student journalists that reflects the diversity of California. What we mean by diversity includes, but is not limited to: communities that you identify with, background, life experience, abilities, skill sets, geographic location and type of college. How would you contribute to that diversity?
• Keeping in mind that the majority of your reporting work will happen during business hours, briefly explain how you’d juggle your academic, work and personal responsibilities with our 10-12 hour weekly expectation. 
• Is there anything else you would like us to know?