JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring. The Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 is inviting applications from early-career journalists interested in developing their expertise in health reporting. The fellowship provides financial support, professional mentorship, specialist training and opportunities to work with experienced journalists while producing an in-depth health reporting project.
Supported by The Commonwealth Fund, the programme is designed to strengthen accurate, inclusive and representative coverage of healthcare issues, particularly those affecting underserved communities.
Selected fellows will receive a US$4,000 reporting stipend to support project-related time and expenses. They will also benefit from mentoring by an experienced health journalist, a 1.5-day in-person training programme, educational webinars, a complimentary one-year JAWS membership and travel support to attend the organisation’s annual conference.
Applications for the 2027 fellowship must be submitted by 7 December 2026.
JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 overview
| Opportunity detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 |
| Organiser | Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) |
| Supporting organisation | The Commonwealth Fund |
| Opportunity type | Journalism fellowship |
| Focus area | Health and healthcare reporting |
| Stipend | US$4,000 |
| Mentorship | Yes |
| Training | In-person training and webinars |
| Conference opportunity | JAWS CAMP 2027 |
| Eligible applicants | U.S.-based women journalists and individuals who identify as women |
| Experience required | 2–7 years of professional health reporting experience |
| Application deadline | 7 December 2026, 5 p.m. Eastern Time |
About the JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
The JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship is a professional development programme established to help women journalists strengthen their ability to report on healthcare issues.
The fellowship is organised by the Journalism & Women Symposium, an organisation committed to the professional growth and empowerment of women in journalism. Through its programmes, JAWS supports journalists by providing opportunities for mentorship, training, networking and professional development.
The 2027 fellowship is supported by The Commonwealth Fund, a foundation that promotes a more equitable and effective healthcare system through independent research and initiatives addressing access, quality and healthcare costs.
The programme recognises that health reporting plays an important role in public understanding and policy discussions. It therefore aims to support journalists who can investigate complex healthcare issues and produce informative stories for their audiences.
Fellowship benefits and financial support
Successful applicants will receive several forms of professional and financial support throughout the fellowship.
1. US$4,000 reporting stipend
Each selected fellow will receive a US$4,000 stipend to help cover time and expenses associated with completing their reporting project.
The funding is intended to support project-related work rather than function as a general academic scholarship or unrestricted living allowance.
2. Professional mentorship
Fellows will receive guidance from an experienced health journalist throughout their projects and beyond.
Mentorship will help participants strengthen their reporting approaches, develop story ideas, identify relevant sources and navigate the challenges involved in producing in-depth healthcare journalism.
Fellows are expected to meet with their mentors at least once a month, either by telephone or through Zoom.
3. In-person journalism training
The programme includes a 1.5-day in-person training session featuring a storytelling workshop and discussions led by experienced journalists.
Participants will have opportunities to improve their reporting techniques, discuss their proposed projects and learn about useful resources for covering healthcare issues.
4. Health reporting webinars
Fellows will also participate in educational webinars covering relevant health journalism topics. These sessions are intended to provide additional knowledge, reporting resources and access to potential sources.
5. Complimentary JAWS membership
Selected fellows receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Journalism & Women Symposium, valued at US$75.
Membership provides an opportunity to connect with other journalists and access professional networking and development opportunities.
6. Travel and conference participation
Fellows receive complimentary registration and travel expenses to attend the JAWS annual conference, known as CAMP, in Fall 2027.
JAWS lists this benefit as having a value of approximately US$3,500. Participants will also present their completed projects during a panel at the conference.
Health reporting topics
Applicants are expected to propose an original, in-depth reporting project focused on an important healthcare theme.
Potential subject areas include:
- Health equity and disparities: Reporting on inequalities in healthcare access, treatment and outcomes.
- Cost and quality of care: Investigating healthcare affordability, service quality and patient experiences.
- Healthcare coverage and access: Exploring insurance coverage, barriers to treatment and access to essential services.
- Women’s health: Examining healthcare services, reproductive health and issues affecting women.
- Health systems and care delivery: Investigating how healthcare systems operate and how services are delivered.
- Medicare and Medicaid: Reporting on healthcare coverage programmes and their effects on patients and communities.
These are examples rather than an exhaustive list. Applicants should develop a well-researched proposal that demonstrates originality, public interest and potential impact.
Who can apply?
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
The JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 has specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants should carefully review the following conditions before preparing an application.
Gender eligibility
The fellowship is open to women and individuals who identify as women.
Location requirement
Applicants must be based in the United States. The official programme information explicitly states that applications are open to U.S.-based journalists only.
Important for international applicants: Journalists living in Zimbabwe and other countries outside the United States should not assume they are eligible. The published eligibility conditions restrict this opportunity to U.S.-based applicants.
Professional experience
Applicants should have between two and seven years of professional health reporting experience.
The fellowship is intended for early-career journalists and those who are relatively new to the health reporting beat.
Blogging, academic writing and public relations work do not count towards the required professional journalism experience.
Employment status
Both staff reporters and independent journalists are encouraged to apply.
Freelance journalists may apply, provided they can demonstrate a credible plan for publishing or broadcasting their proposed work.
Media format
Proposed projects may be produced in different formats, including:
- Print journalism.
- Digital journalism.
- Television reporting.
- Radio and audio reporting.
- Podcasts.
- Documentary production.
- Photojournalism.
- Multimedia storytelling.
The proposed project must be intended for a recognised U.S.-based media outlet.
What will fellows be expected to do?
Selected participants will be required to complete two reporting projects during the fellowship.
Long-form reporting project
Each fellow must produce an in-depth reporting project based on original research and reporting.
The long-form project may be a multi-part series or a substantial story of at least 2,000 words, or an equivalent amount of broadcast content.
The project must be completed by 31 July 2027 and published or broadcast by 31 August 2027.
Short-form reporting project
Fellows must also produce a short-form story of approximately 750 words, or equivalent broadcast content.
The short-form story must be published or broadcast by 15 April 2027.
It may address the fellow’s main project or another relevant health reporting topic. It does not have to appear in the same media outlet as the long-form project.
Mentorship and participation
Fellows must also:
- Meet with their mentors at least monthly.
- Participate in the 1.5-day in-person training.
- Attend up to two additional webinars.
- Present their completed projects at JAWS CAMP 2027.
- Include the required acknowledgement of the fellowship and The Commonwealth Fund in each published or produced piece.
Applicants should be prepared to commit sufficient time to complete these requirements.
Required application documents
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
Applicants should prepare a complete application containing the following materials:
1. Reporting project proposal
A detailed one- or two-page proposal explaining the story the applicant intends to investigate and why it is important.
The proposal should demonstrate that preliminary research has been conducted and include relevant sources.
2. Project timeline
A proposed schedule showing the reporting stages and expected publication or broadcast dates.
3. Current résumé
A résumé of no more than two pages outlining the applicant’s professional journalism experience.
4. Professional profile
A link to a professional profile, such as a personal website, LinkedIn account or other relevant professional social media page.
5. Cover letter
The cover letter should include:
- Applicant’s full name.
- Mailing address.
- Mobile phone number.
- Email address.
- Employer or freelance affiliation.
- Employer’s address and telephone number.
- Media outlet’s circulation and audience demographics.
- Direct editor’s contact details, including email and telephone number.
Freelance journalists should indicate how long they have been affiliated with the outlet expected to publish or broadcast their work.
6. Work samples
Applicants may submit no more than three examples of previously published or produced journalism.
Samples can include written articles, audio or video stories, or multimedia projects. They may be submitted as PDF attachments or accessible online links.
Applicants should check that all links work before submitting their applications.
7. Employer or editor support
Staff reporters must provide a letter of support from a supervisor or editor at their current media outlet. The letter should confirm that the applicant will receive the necessary time and editorial support to complete the project.
Independent journalists should obtain written confirmation from an assigning editor at a media outlet indicating willingness to support the proposed story, subject to normal editorial criteria.
Freelancers without a confirmed media commitment may still be considered if their proposals are strong. However, they must provide a list of two to three potential media outlets and editors to whom they intend to pitch their work.
A recommendation letter is optional and is not required for an application to be considered.
How to apply for the JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027
Interested and eligible journalists should apply through the official JAWS application page.
Follow these steps:
- Visit the official JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship application page.
- Read the eligibility requirements and fellowship expectations carefully.
- Develop an original health reporting proposal addressing an important healthcare issue.
- Prepare the project timeline, résumé, cover letter and professional profile.
- Collect up to three examples of previous journalism work.
- Obtain the required employer or editor support, depending on your employment status.
- Complete the official application form and submit all required materials before the deadline.
Application deadline
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
The deadline for the JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 is:
Monday, 7 December 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
Applicants should submit their applications before the closing time and ensure that all supporting documents and work samples are accessible.
According to the published programme schedule, fellows will be selected by 31 December 2026, with the selected participants publicly announced in early January 2027.
Selection criteria
Applications will be assessed based on the quality and potential impact of the proposed reporting projects.
JAWS identifies several considerations, including:
- Clarity and originality of the proposed story.
- Quality of published or produced journalism samples.
- Ability to meet the application requirements.
- Potential impact of the project across different geographic, ethnic and racial communities.
- The applicant’s understanding of the proposed reporting subject.
- The feasibility of completing the project within the fellowship timeline.
Applicants should therefore submit proposals that demonstrate strong research, a clear reporting approach and the potential to contribute meaningfully to public discussion.
Tips for preparing a competitive application
Choose a relevant healthcare issue. Select a topic that addresses an important gap in public understanding or highlights a significant healthcare challenge.
Demonstrate originality. Explain what makes the proposed story different from existing coverage and why additional reporting is necessary.
Show evidence of preliminary research. Include credible sources, relevant data and potential interview subjects to demonstrate that the proposal is well developed.
Prepare a realistic timeline. The fellowship has specific short-form and long-form publication deadlines. Make sure your proposed schedule is achievable.
Select strong work samples. Choose published stories that demonstrate research ability, accuracy, storytelling and professional journalism standards.
Secure editorial support early. Staff reporters and independent journalists have different support requirements. Contact editors well before the application deadline.
Explain the potential impact. Show how the project could improve public understanding, encourage informed discussion or draw attention to underreported healthcare issues.
Frequently asked questions
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
How much is the JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship stipend?
Selected fellows receive a US$4,000 stipend to cover project-related time and expenses.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
The programme provides a reporting stipend, mentoring, training, webinars, JAWS membership and conference registration and travel expenses. It is a professional journalism fellowship, not a conventional university scholarship or a general living-cost award.
Can journalists from Zimbabwe apply?
The published eligibility requirements state that applicants must be based in the United States. Journalists based in Zimbabwe and other countries outside the United States are therefore not eligible under the stated rules.
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. Independent journalists are encouraged to apply. They should provide evidence of editorial support or, where they do not have a confirmed media commitment, identify two to three potential outlets and editors for their proposed project.
Is previous health reporting experience required?
Applicants should have two to seven years of professional health reporting experience. General journalism experience alone may not satisfy this requirement.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is 7 December 2026 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
When will selected fellows be announced?
JAWS expects to select fellows by 31 December 2026 and publicly announce them in early January 2027.
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Final thoughts
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring
JAWS Health Reporting Fellowship 2027 offers a US$4,000 stipend and mentoring.The JAWS Health Journalism Fellowship 2027 offers an excellent professional development opportunity for eligible U.S.-based women journalists seeking to deepen their expertise in healthcare reporting.
With a US$4,000 reporting stipend, experienced mentorship, specialist training and conference participation, the programme provides valuable support for journalists working on important health-related stories.
Interested applicants should review the official requirements, prepare a compelling reporting proposal and submit their applications before 7 December 2026.
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