Get $35,000 to Advance Black Journalism in Canada: CJF Black Journalism Fellowships 2026 Guide

If you are an early-career Black journalist in Canada looking to sharpen your reporting skills, build newsroom experience and get paid to do it, the Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) Black Journalism Fellowships are worth your full attention. These six-month placements place fellows inside major Canadian newsrooms — CBC/Radio-Canada, The Globe and Mail, CTV News — or at an academic investigative hub, and come with a $35,000 stipend paid over the fellowship period. Think of it as a paid apprenticeship where you do real reporting, learn newsroom craft, and expand your professional network.

This program exists to amplify Black voices in newsrooms and to improve how Black communities and issues are covered in Canadian media. That’s not just a feel-good line; it’s a practical opportunity to produce journalism with editorial support, mentorship and institutional backing. The fellowships are aimed at journalists with one to five years of experience — people with enough professional grounding to hit the ground running, but still early enough in their careers that concentrated mentorship and institutional exposure can meaningfully change trajectories.

A quick note on dates: the source information lists a January 23, 2026 application deadline and a fellowship start in September. Some details in the announcement appear inconsistent (start months vs. cohort year). Treat the dates below as accurate but double-check the official CJF page before you plan travel or give notice to an employer. Always confirm the cohort calendar directly with CJF.

At a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

The headline is simple: paid, mentored newsroom experience inside reputable national outlets, for six months. The $35,000 stipend is meaningful — it’s enough to cover living costs in most Canadian cities for a six-month period if you budget carefully — and it’s paid in installments on the 15th and last day of each month. Beyond money, you’re getting editorial support, bylines, training and a chance to work with senior editors on projects you might not otherwise access as an early-career reporter.

Placement matters. A fellow hosted at CBC/Radio-Canada will encounter institutional scale, with access to national audiences and production teams in English or French; The Globe and Mail offers experience in a national broadsheet environment; CTV News gives exposure to broadcast and digital storytelling; and the Institute for Investigative Journalism (IJB) offers a research-heavy, collaborative investigative setting, ideal for long-form enterprise projects. Each host will have different expectations, editorial rhythms and mentorship styles — choose the one that matches your interests and strengths.

There’s an implicit career dividend here: six months inside a major newsroom is a signal to future employers. Former fellows often emerge with stronger portfolios, clearer beats, broader networks and, crucially, a demonstrable track record of work produced under editorial standards. If you’re aiming at staff positions in national outlets or trying to pivot into investigative reporting, this fellowship can be a catalytic career move.

Who Should Apply

This fellowship is explicitly for early-career Black journalists — typically those with one to five years of professional experience. That includes recent graduates who have spent a year or two in student media or internships, freelancers who have been publishing work for a couple of years, and junior staff reporters who want a concentrated period of mentorship and high-profile placement.

Here are realistic examples of ideal candidates:

• A 1-year post-grad journalist who has freelanced for local outlets and wants national newsroom experience.
• A beat reporter at a small community paper with three years’ experience who wants to transition into investigative reporting.
• A multimedia journalist who has built a local audience on social platforms but seeks editorial training and bylines in established outlets.
• A reporter currently on contract who wants a stable, mentored environment to develop a portfolio of major enterprise pieces.

You should be based in Canada and able to commit to in-person work at the host organization for the full six months. Expect to be responsible for your own accommodation in the host city; the stipend helps cover that, but plan for moving costs and local living expenses ahead of time.

If you identify as Black and meet the experience window, you’re a potential fit. The program is designed to help build future Black media leaders — so highlight community connections, reporting experience that engages Black communities, and projects that show editorial ambition.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

A fellowship application is part identity pitch, part portfolio and part practical plan. Here’s how to craft an application that stands out.

1. Tell a tight, readable story about your trajectory. In one paragraph explain who you are as a reporter, what beats you’ve covered, and why this fellowship is the next logical step. Editors read dozens of applications; clear narratives stick.

2. Choose work samples strategically. A short, sharp investigative or enterprise piece is worth more than several thin-byline pieces. If you do multimedia, include one strong video or audio package and one written piece. Annotate samples briefly: one sentence about your role and the impact of the work.

3. Pitch realistic projects. If the application asks for a project idea, propose 1–3 story projects that are concrete: named sources, the basic reporting approach, an estimated timeline, and why your host newsroom is the right place to execute them. Avoid vague themes — specificity signals feasibility.

4. Show community connection. If you plan to cover Black communities or issues, demonstrate your relationships, cultural fluency and ethical approach. Editors want reporters who understand context and have trusted sources.

5. Highlight what you’ll learn and bring. Say what skills you want to develop (investigative techniques, data reporting, broadcast production) and how those skills will be used during the fellowship. Simultaneously, state clearly what you bring to the newsroom — unique angles, language ability, a niche beat or multimedia skills.

6. Get strong references, and prep them. Choose referees who can speak to your reporting skills and potential rather than high-profile names who can’t detail your work. Give referees a short packet: your resume, samples and a sentence on the fellowship focus so their letters are fast and specific.

7. Mind the logistics early. Because placements are in-person and cities vary, demonstrate your readiness to relocate. Mention if you have ties to the host city or explain how you’ll manage accommodation — this reduces friction for hosts considering you.

Spend more time on polish than you think necessary. A clean, well-proofed application signals an attentive reporter.

Application Timeline (Work backward from the published deadline)

The official deadline is January 23, 2026, 11:59 pm ET. Don’t wait until the last night.

• 8–10 weeks before deadline: Choose your host preferences and sketch two or three story proposals. Reach out to potential referees and let them know the timeline.
• 6–8 weeks before: Assemble and refine your best work samples. Draft your application responses and the project summary. If you need translations or transcripts for multimedia work, arrange them now.
• 4–6 weeks before: Circulate your draft to mentors or trusted editors for feedback. Confirm referees will submit letters on time. Begin logistical planning for relocation if you’re likely to be placed out-of-town.
• 2 weeks before: Final edits, proofread, and format your documents to the application portal’s specifications. Submit early—technical issues happen.
• 48–72 hours before: Upload and test all attachments in the portal. Check that your contact details are correct and that your referees have submitted their letters.
• After submission: Prepare a short plan for housing and notice to current employers, in case you’re selected for an interview or placement.

If you’re juggling current employment, inform supervisors early in principle (not necessarily specifics) so you can manage leave if selected.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

CJF listings vary slightly by year, so always confirm the exact checklist on the application portal. Typical materials you should prepare:

• A concise resume tailored to journalism: emphasize bylines, beats, multimedia skills, and relevant training.
• 3–6 work samples (clean, accessible links or PDFs). Include a variety: long-form, breaking news, multimedia. Label each with your exact role.
• A cover letter or statement of intent: explain why you’re applying, which host(s) you prefer and what you expect to accomplish.
• Project proposal(s): one to three concrete story ideas with methods, sources and a rough timeline.
• References: two or three referees who can comment on your reporting abilities and potential. Provide their contact details early.
• Any required forms the CJF portal requests (identity/eligibility confirmations, tax forms depending on payment structure).

Preparation tips: convert links to PDFs in case links break; include short annotations for each sample (one sentence that explains your contribution and what the project achieved). If you’re proposing data-driven projects, include a short paragraph on what datasets or public records you’d access and any software you can use. If your samples include work behind paywalls, provide PDFs or extracts that show the substance of your reporting.

What Makes an Application Stand Out

The selection panels are looking for reporters who can produce high-quality journalism with societal relevance and editorial maturity. Here’s what elevates applications:

• Clear evidence of journalism craft. Demonstrated ability to report, fact-check, and produce narrative or investigative pieces under deadlines.
• Feasible, specific projects. Proposals that name sources, documents, or data sets and explain how you’ll access them show you’ve done homework.
• Cultural competence and community ties. If you intend to report on Black communities, your connections and sensitivity to ethical storytelling make a difference.
• Adaptability to the host’s format. If you want CBC, show audio and broadcast-ready skills. For The Globe and Mail, emphasize long-form and enterprise reporting. Tailor your pitch.
• Professional attitude. Timeliness, responsiveness, and clarity in your application reflect how you’ll behave in a newsroom setting.
• Evidence of impact. If prior stories led to policy changes, public attention, or audience engagement, mention it. Outcomes matter.

Panels want practical evidence that you’ll both contribute to and benefit from the host newsroom. Think of your application as a promise: “Here’s what I’ll do, and here’s why it will matter.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid (and How to Fix Them)

Many solid applicants trip over avoidable errors. Here’s what to watch for and how to correct these problems.

• Vague story proposals. Fix it by attaching a mini reporting plan: named sources, documents, methods and a timeline. Specificity demonstrates planning.
• Weak or mismatched samples. Don’t submit everything you’ve ever done. Pick 3–6 pieces that best represent the work you want to do during the fellowship and that match your preferred host.
• Overstating experience. If you have 1–2 years of freelance work, quantify it honestly. Describe roles precisely — editor, reporter, producer — so reviewers aren’t left guessing.
• Ignoring logistics. If you’re unwilling to relocate, don’t apply (or be explicit about remote constraints if allowed). Hosts expect in-person presence.
• Skipping referee prep. Provide referees with context, your CV and a short note about the fellowship. A generic reference is less compelling than a tailored one.
• Typos and sloppy formatting. Have at least one other person proofread. Presentation signals professionalism in journalism.
• Waiting until the deadline. Submit earlier. Platform hiccups and last-minute stress hurt the final polish.

Address these fixes early; a few hours of targeted work can turn a good application into a great one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to apply?
A: The program requires applicants to be in Canada. Citizenship or permanent residency rules can vary; check the CJF page for exact eligibility specifics. If you’re uncertain, contact the program office directly.

Q: Is the stipend taxable?
A: Generally yes — fellowships are usually considered taxable income. Treat the stipend as income for tax planning. Save a portion for taxes and, if needed, speak to your accountant or the host’s HR about withholding details.

Q: Can I apply if I’m a freelancer?
A: Yes. Freelancers with one to five years of professional experience are eligible. Show how your freelance work demonstrates reliability, deadlines met and editorial quality.

Q: Are international applicants eligible?
A: The fellowship is aimed at journalists in Canada. International applicants should confirm residency and eligibility details on the official page before applying.

Q: Will CJF help find housing?
A: Hosts expect fellows to secure their own accommodation. The stipend is intended to cover living costs. Some hosts or past fellows may share leads; ask the program contact if you need local resources.

Q: Can I apply to multiple CJF fellowship categories?
A: Check the program rules on the official page. Some years allow applicants to indicate preferred hosts; others limit the number of simultaneous applications.

Q: Do fellows get editorial control?
A: Editorial responsibility varies by host. Expect collaboration and supervision; hosts aim to give fellows meaningful reporting work while upholding newsroom standards.

Next Steps — How to Apply

Ready? Don’t wait. Here’s a checkable plan to move forward:

1. Visit the official CJF application page now and confirm dates and required documents: https://cjf-fjc.ca/blackfellowshipform/
2. Choose your preferred host(s) and tailor your work samples and project pitch to that newsroom’s format.
3. Contact two referees and ask if they’ll write timely references; provide them with your CV and a short summary of your proposal.
4. Draft your project ideas and annotate your work samples. Convert links to PDFs when possible.
5. Submit at least 48 hours before the January 23, 2026 deadline to avoid last-minute portal issues.

Final reminder: double-check the start and end months for the cohort you’re applying to; the source announcement contains a few inconsistencies. If anything looks off, email the CJF program contact and get clarification in writing.

Get Started

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page for full instructions and to submit your application: https://cjf-fjc.ca/blackfellowshipform/

If you want, paste your draft statement or project pitch here and I’ll help tighten it into something editors will actually remember.