NFI Fellowships for Independent Journalists

To support credible journalism in India and support independent journalists across the country, the National Foundation for India launched the Media Fellowship Programme for Independent Journalists in November 2020.

Under the programme, several grants are made to independent journalists on a rolling-basis every quarter. Our fellowship programme particularly favours independent journalists from difficult geographies and diverse social background, especially those who have been marginalised due to their socio-religious circumstances, gender inequalities and geographic location.

The fellowship is offered for journalists working with different Indian languages and English every quarter.

Previous Rounds

In the first round NFI granted fellowships to 21 outstanding journalists from across the country. You can read about them and their work here.

In the second round, 36 fellowships were granted to independent journalists reporting in English (26) and Malayalam (10). The fellowships in Malayalam were provided in collaboration with our partner Azhimukham. You can read English stories by the Fellows here and Malayalam here.

In the third round, 35 fellowships were granted to independent journalists reporting in Hindi. Twenty five fellowships were for text stories and 10 for multimedia stories. For the publication of multimedia stories, we partnered with Quint Hindi.

You can read Hindi (Text) stories by the Fellows here and watch Hindi (Multimedia) stories here.

In the fourth round, fellowships were granted to 22 independent journalists reporting in Nagamese and Urdu. Fifteen Fellowships were given for Urdu and 7 for Nagamese. For the publication of multimedia stories, we partnered with The Wire Urdu and The Morung Express.

Moving on, in the fifth round 30 fellowships were granted to journalists reporting in English and Marathi, 15 each. Their stories can be read here (English) and here (Marathi). Marathi Fellowships were offered along with Max Maharashtra.

What does the Fellowship Provide?

Each fellow will be granted INR 30,000 to publish one story of 1,000-1,500 words on a broad range of themes and issues of public interest, reported in depth over one month.

If required, NFI will connect the grantee to a senior journalist as a mentor to guide and help the grantee in reporting better.

We will aid the grantee in publishing the grantees in English journalism with different media organisations.

How are the fellows selected?

An NFI-appointed jury of eminent journalists selects the grantees based on the detailed application. Weightage is given to candidates from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The application process is now open for fellowships to report in Assamese and Odia.

The fellowships in Assamese are being offered along with Asam Bani, a leading weekly of Assamese. Ten (10) Fellowships available for Independent Journalists to report in Assamese. Odia fellowships are being offered along with Sambad, a leading daily of Odia. Fifteen (15) Fellowships available for Independent Journalists to report in Odia.

The Last date to apply for Assamese Fellowships is 2nd April 2023 (Sunday) Midnight. To know more about the fellowship in Assamese, Click here. To apply, Click here.

For Odia Fellowships, the last date to apply is 9th April 2023 (Sunday) Midnight. To know more about the fellowship in Odia, Click here. To apply, Click here.