Current Fellowships and Scholarships

The following is a list of current CAJ partnership with industry organizations offering fellowships and scholarships in journalism.

EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship

The EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship aims to recognize outstanding journalistic talent among young Canadians. Since 2001, three candidates have been selected every year to participate in a week-long study tour to experience the EU institutions, the Canadian Mission to the EU, and media outlets in Brussels. Winners will also attend the daily European Commission press briefing. All expenses are paid for by the European Union Delegation to Canada. Winners will also benefit from a one-year CAJ membership or one-year CAJ membership renewal.

Winners will also be invited to an awards ceremony co-hosted by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the CAJ on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship seeks to foster links between Europeans and Canadians and to raise awareness of the European Union among a new generation of Canadian students and journalists.

Winners are required to submit a sample of their work and to chronicle their study tour experience online or in print during the study tour or upon their return from Europe (i.e. published articles, blogging, social media platforms).

The submission portal is now CLOSED. The study tour to Brussels will take in October 2024.

Be sure to also view our list of past fellowship winners.

In order to be eligible, participants must be:

  • Actively enrolled in a Canadian university/post-secondary institution or active in the field of journalism
  • Between the ages 18-30
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Applications must include:

  1. Sample of work
    • Applicants are invited to submit a recent sample of their work in any format, in English or French, about the European Union or European Union-Canada relations. One work sample only.
    • Entry requirements:
      • If print or digital: News stories or opinion pieces of maximum 1,000 words, unpublished or unpublished within the previous six months from application date.
      • If audio-visual: News reports of up to 90 seconds duration or mini-documentaries of anywhere between 4 and 5 minutes.
      • The date of the unpublished text or report must be indicated. In case of published text or broadcast report, the date and name of media outlet must be indicated.
    • The jury will pay particular attention to journalistic qualities and talent, rigorous research, factual accuracy and topic relevance to EU and EU-Canada relations.
  2. Letter of motivation
    • Applicants must write a letter of motivation clearly outlining specific topics they plan to write about during/upon return from Europe and where their work will appear (media outlet, social media, blog etc.)
    • Winners will have complete editorial independence and, while the Delegation and the Canadian Association of Journalists will retain the right to publish/reproduce their work to promote the program in future years, applicants will maintain intellectual property rights of their work.
    • The letter should also include the reasons for applying and the anticipated benefits to be derived from participation in the study trip.
  3. Curriculum vitae
  4. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status

The closing date for applications was May 6 2024.

Please note that incomplete applications, i.e. applications not containing all of the above documents submitted at the same time, will not be considered.

For audio-visual entries, please send online link by e-mail or USB by mail with the application.

Applications are to be sent either by e-mail to DELEGATION-CANADA-POL@eeas.europa.eu or by mail to the following address:

Delegation of the European Union to Canada
Ref.: EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1900
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1

Final selection by the Jury:

The Jury, consisting of EU Delegation representatives, professional journalists and academics, will meet in spring 2024 to select the best pieces received by the closing date. The decisions of the Jury will be final. The three winners will be notified directly.

The Study Tour will take place in October 2024

Established in 1976, the European Union Delegation to Canada is a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and, as such, the natural contact point in Canada between the EU and the Canadian authorities. It also has a strong public diplomacy mandate designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the European Union as well as EU-Canada relations.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is Canada’s largest national professional organization for journalists from all media, representing members across the country. The CAJ’s primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members.

For further information:

Diodora Bucur, EU Delegation Press Officer
Diodora.Bucur@eeas.europa.eu | 613-563-6354 | Socials: @EUinCanada

Monique Durette, Canadian Association of Journalists Operations Manager
monique.durette@caj.ca | X/Twitter: @caj | Facebook: @CdnAssocJournalists | Instagram: @cajournalists

FAQ

Q: I noticed that for the eligibility criteria, it mentioned that you must be actively enrolled in the journalism field. I just wanted to double-check that I am still eligible if I am enrolled in university, but not in a journalism program.
A: According to the call for submissions, applicants must be actively enrolled in a Canadian university/post-secondary institution or active in the field of journalism. In other words, in any university or post-secondary programme, not necessarily journalism.

Q: I am interested in applying for the EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship but my 18th birthday is in December. Can I still apply?
A: Candidates must be 18 years old at the time of the study tour. In this particular case, since the study tour would have already taken place that calendar year (usually in the fall), you would be eligible to apply for the next cycle beginning in March.

Q: If I’m already 30 at the time of submitting my application/the study tour, am I still eligible?
A: Yes, you would still be eligible.

Q: I am interested in applying for the EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship. I noticed the age range is 30 and I am 39. I’m writing to ask if I can still apply anyway.
A: The age range for this particular scholarship programme is 18-30. However, the European Union offers other career development opportunities for professionals, such as EU Visitors’ Programme. Find details here: https://visitors-programme.europa.eu/application-procedure

Q: I was looking at the application requirements, and I noticed there was no length requirement mentioned for the letter of motivation. Is there a rough word/page count I should stick to?
A: There’s no length requirement for the letter of motivation, although generally a page or so is recommended.

Q: For the writing sample, should the story clearly address EU-Canada relations or could it focus on a topic within the EU that is relevant to a Canadian audience?
A: We encourage applicants to read carefully the application requirements. The call for submissions makes it clear that, “judges will pay particular attention to topics of relevance to the EU and EU-Canada relations.” In different words, a topic in the EU relevant to the Canadian audience meets the criteria.

Q: Should applicants submit just one work sample along with the other materials, or are we allowed to submit more than one?
A: One work sample only. Submitting multiple samples does not increase winning chances. On the contrary, it will earn the applicant demerit points, given the call for submissions makes it clear only one sample is accepted.

Q: I wanted to inquire about the requirement for writing or covering the study tour. I’m wondering what you are envisioning for this part? I ask because my newspaper has strict rules about us covering an event that we are subsidized to attend.
A: This is an open-ended requirement to allow laureates to explore different possibilities – i.e. blogging, documenting the study tour on social media, stories, reels, testimonials, first-person stories about their experiences or news stories about subjects or topics of interest heading to Brussels or that may come up during the study tour.

Q: The deadline for the journalism fellowship in Brussels has passed, but I’m wondering if this will be offered again next year in Brussels or if it will take place somewhere in Europe.
A: This particular study tour takes place every year and mainly, but not exclusively, in Brussels, home to EU institutions. In the past, young journalists also visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, and the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, depending on the year’s programme. Generally, the annual fellowship is launched in early March, submissions are due in early May, and the study tour takes place in the fall of the same calendar year.

Q: Are CAJ board members prohibited from applying?
A: Neither CAJ board members nor active CAJ members are prohibited from submitting an application, as long as they are not directly involved in the actual selection process. Prior to deliberations, jury members are required to declare full disclosure of potential conflict of interest regarding candidates.

Q: Are submissions from previous winners accepted?
A: There are no rules to disqualify past winners. The objective of this fellowship programme is to give a chance to as many candidates as possible. Ultimately, the decision rests with the jury and it is merit-based.

Investintech-CAJ Data Journalism Scholarship

The Investintech-CAJ Data Journalism Scholarship aims to support and encourage journalism students by helping them with the costs of their education, which can often be a hinderance to their career. It is also the intention of this scholarship to serve as a way to help prepare students for a career path as a journalist by getting them to think about the industry and its ever increasing emphasis on data.

The scholarship will go to one Canadian student who shows an interest and understanding of data journalism tools and techniques before they even enter the newsroom professionally, to get Canadian and journalism student to really think about the data used in stories.

Be sure to also view our list of past scholarship winners.

Privacy, Terms and Conditions

All students retain rights to their submissions. If selected as a winning recipient, your short bio and/or photo along with any details you wish to have used in announcements, marketing material, testimonials, must be provided at the time of submission.

It is our aim that the winning entries be published or linked to on a winners list. However, Investintech.com will not publish any work without the express permission of the winner. For details, read the full terms and conditions on our site.

About Investintech.com

Investintech.com, is the developer of industry leading PDF conversion, creation and editing solutions. We’ve proudly partnered with and sponsored Canadian journalist training programs and educational institutions, such as Humber College, Munk School of Global Affairs, and King’s College University, with licenses of our flagship product, Able2Extract Professional.

The Investintech-CAJ Data Journalism Scholarship is open to all students with proven journalism skills and an interest in data journalism. Eligible students must meet the following requirements:

  • Pursuing a course of studies or program leading to a diploma, undergraduate or graduate degree.
  • Show evidence of their journalism skills and interest, such as having a published news story, or be working for a college publication, etc.
  • Currently accepted to or enrolled in a college or university in Canada.

Submitted work may be a published item, class assignment or even an item on a personal blog.

  • Work must have been produced within one calendar year of the scholarship closing date.
  • A single submission of individual work is preferred. If the submitted item is produced as part of a team of two or more, the applicant must submit a detailed explanation about their contribution and their own proof of work.
  • Previous winners are not eligible to apply.

The submission must include:

  • An example of a work of journalism that shows the application of data skills (e.g. use of spreadsheets, web scraping, use of mapping tool). The submissions must include at least one data visualization (e.g. a map or a chart) produced by the student.
  • An explanation of what you did and how you did it, including the resources you used and how the data was compiled. For submissions that were part of a group project, applicants must explain their role, the skills they used in fulfilling that role, and the specific parts of the story, or stories, that their contribution influenced.

Visit the Investintech Winner’s page to get a look at previous years’ recipients, the winning submissions, and the Selection Jury’s feedback.

All entries will be reviewed according to the criteria below:

  • Follow all submission rules and complete full details
  • Submissions must be in English or in French
  • Minimum word count for written parts of the submission: 500
  • Previously published material can be submitted
  • Creativity and style; coherence and readability
  • Effective use of data, visualizations, and/or medium being used
  • Strength of the topic and the applicant’s work

All submissions will be passed by a small committee made up of experienced journalists. Investintech.com will work in collaboration with the CAJ to create a jury that includes judges with extensive experience and multiple credentials at notable and authoritative media outlets. The official selection committee that will determine the winning submission will include one Investintech.com representative and one CAJ member to provide input during the selection process.

Each jury member will be carefully selected, reviewed, and recommended by the CAJ. Journalists will be chosen based on their background, experience, and area of expertise. At least one of these members will be fluent in French to help evaluate submissions that are in French. The jury will review all submissions and narrow down the results to just one winning submission.

The selection jury for the 2023-2024 academic year:

  • Chad Skelton
  • David McKie
  • Valérie Ouellet

To learn more about the credentials and journalism experience of the selection jury members, please visit the Data Journalist Scholarship Selection Jury page.

Award:

  • $1,000.00 CAD
  • Free one year membership with the CAJ
  • One free pass to the CAJ National Annual Conference in Toronto from May 31 to June 1, 2024

Deadline: April 12, 2024 – Submissions are no longer being accepted for this year
Award date for the 2023-2024 scholarship year: May 3, 2024

Submit your entry along with the following details:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Educational Institute (college or university)
  • Program/Degree
  • Your journalism experience: internships, school newspapers, relevant positions, blogs, etc.
  • A short 100 – 200 word bio, profile picture, and 1-2 professional or social links

The submission portal is now CLOSED

For any questions on the process please email scholarships@investintech.com.

*NOTE: It is at the sole discretion of the CAJ whether or not to provide or determine a suitable substitution prize if necessary.

Past Fellowships

CAJ/APTN 2020 Fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Journalism

This fellowship provides a 12-week, paid placement with APTN Investigates in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the winter-spring of 2020. During this time, the recipient is expected to produce a full-length piece of original, investigative journalism that will air on APTN Investigates, the first Indigenous investigative news program in Canada.

The fellowship recipient will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the CAJ and an invitation to #CAJ20 National Conference taking place May 29-30, 2020 in Montreal. The finished piece will be screened to the conference delegates and followed by a panel discussion.

The selection process is chaired by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), to ensure the highest journalistic standards are upheld. The fellowship is administered and funded by APTN.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Journalists of a First Nations, Inuit or Métis background who are eligible to work in Canada and have a minimum of three years’ professional experience working in a media outlet or as a freelancer. The recipient must be willing to relocate to Winnipeg for the period of the fellowship placement.

What should be included in the application?

  • A reporting plan, no more than 750 words and laying out the story pitch – including its topic, potential impact, draft timeline, how the applicant expects to tell the story, and why they are the best person to tell it;
  • A résumé of no more than two pages;
  • Up to three work samples – preferably broadcast clips provided via links or PDFs of print work;
  • Up to three letters of reference.

GUIDELINES

Fellowship recipients will produce a 22-minute original investigative documentary providing information, analysis, and insight on an issue facing First Nation, Inuit or Métis Peoples in Canada.

The fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Journalism will provide a 12-week paid placement with the award-winning APTN Investigates team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the winter-spring of 2020.

Audio-visual support, editing, legal support and mentorship will be provided by APTN. The recipient will work under the guidance of an APTN Investigates producer and the executive producer during the fellowship.

During this time, the recipient is expected to produce a full-length piece of original, investigative journalism that will air on APTN Investigates, the first Indigenous investigative news program in Canada.

APTN Investigates episodes can be found here: 

https://aptnnews.ca/aptn-investigates-full-episodes/season-8/

Proposals must demonstrate an original idea, either a previously unexamined issue or a storyline that shines new light on a topic that involves or impacts First Nation, Inuit or Métis Peoples.

The Fellowship is open to reporters – both freelancers and staff reporters – with at least three years’ experience as a journalist.

Applicants must be Indigenous, permanent residents of Canada, or entitled to work in Canada.

Successful applicants are expected to relocate to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for their 12-week placement to focus exclusively on their fellowship.

The journalist and APTN will retain complete editorial control over the fellowship project.

Published work shall remain the intellectual property of APTN and the fellowship recipients. However, the CAJ will reserve the right to use and share completed projects with attribution to promote the fellowship program.

Fellowship alumni will be engaged to share observations about their experiences with Canadian audiences through activities such as events or seminars – for example, the CAJ’s annual conference.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility

To become a Fellow for Indigenous Investigative Journalism, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Have at least three years experience as a freelance, part-time, or full-time journalist
  • Be First Nation, Inuit or Métis, and have a deep knowledge of Indigenous issues.

The deadline for this fellowship is now closed.

Applicants to the fellowship must provide a package, in English, which outlines their proposed reporting project, including:

  1. Reporting plan:
    The reporting plan includes the story pitch and outlines how the research will be conducted. In no more than 750 words, applicants should describe:

    1. The proposed topic and angle;
    2. The potential impact of the story and why it is an important story to share with Canadians;
    3. How the research would be conducted, including a timeline – any travel plans for shooting should not exceed more than five days;
    4. Any innovative digital media techniques, such as an interactive or multimedia component, will be considered an asset; and,
    5. Why the applicant is best-qualified to undertake this project. 
  2. Resume:
    A resume of no more than two pages, which demonstrates the applicant’s suitability for the fellowship.
  3. Work samples:
    Up to three (3) work samples in any medium demonstrating the applicant’s suitability for the Fellowship. Preference will be given to applicants with previous broadcast experience. Applicants can provide web links to any broadcast pieces, and/or provide print work in PDF format.
  4. Letters of reference:
    Up to three (3) reference letters, recommending the applicant for the Fellowship. Letters from individuals who have supervised the applicant in a journalistic capacity are preferred.

Applications are accepted by email only. All materials should be provided in PDF format, in English. Total attachment size should not exceed 10 megabytes per email.

SELECTION PROCESS

An independent jury, chaired by the CAJ, will evaluate the applications. Committee members include individuals such as senior journalists with an extensive background in reporting on Indigenous issues.

Only applicants shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

Please email your package to awards@caj.ca with “Application: Fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Reporting” as the subject line.