Apply to the Journalism Diversity Fund

Apply for a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund, which can help with the costs of studying on an NCTJ-accredited course.

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Journalism Diversity Fund schedule
Apply to the Journalism Diversity Fund
Bursary recipients

This application form is our first impression of you – consider your answers very carefully. Shortlisting will be based entirely on your application and the answers you give to demonstrate your skills and abilities.

If applicable, attach an Editor’s Recommendation Form when prompted at the end of the application. This is not compulsory but it can act as a positive reference, proof of work experience and a demonstration of your commitment to journalism.

Cohort One applications are now open for academic year 2026/27.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 29 April 2026 at 5pm.

The shortlist will be announced on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview on Friday, 22 May 2026. Please make a note of this as alternative interview dates will not be available.

If you have any problems with the application form, or questions regarding your application, please contact [email protected].

Journalism Diversity Fund application Cohort One 2026

Step 1 of 11

About you

First name(Required)

Last name(Required)

Date of birth(Required)

DD slash MM slash YYYY

Gender(Required)

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Other

Pronouns

If you'd like to, let us know your preferred pronouns (e.g. she/her, they/them)

Email(Required)

Address(Required)

Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Town/city County Postcode Country

Is this address:(Required)

Phone number(Required)

Where did you hear about the Journalism Diversity Fund?

NCTJ course application details

Please provide us with details of the NCTJ-accredited course you have applied to, and attach confirmation that your place has been accepted. If you do not yet have this, please provide details. If you have applied to more than one course, please use the 'add another course' button.

Centre name(Required)

Course title(Required)

Is this course:(Required)

Course start date(Required)

Day

Month

Year

Course end date(Required)

Day

Month

Year

Course fee(Required)

Please upload confirmation of your course acceptance

Max. file size: 50 MB.

If you have not yet been accepted onto the course, please indicate when you expect to be notified:

Education and employment history

Education(Required)

Name of establishment

Qualification/subjects

Grade(s)

Date gained

Starting with the most recent, please give details of your education and training. Click the + button to add another record

Employment(Required)

Name of employer

Role and brief description of duties

Start/end dates

Salary or hourly wage

Starting with the most recent, please detail all your employment history (excluding work experience/internships). Click the + button to add another record

Work experience/internships(Required)

Name of employer

Role and brief description of duties

Start/end dates

Salary if applicable

Starting with the most recent, please detail all journalism-related work experience. Click 'add employer' to add another record

Funding

We need to know about your need for financial assistance and eligibility for funding

Please tell us how you currently support yourself (e.g. family help, income support, full or part-time work)?(Required)

What financial support, if any, do you expect to receive during the period of the course?(Required)

If you do not expect to have any income during the period of the course, do you have access to any other means of finance (e.g. savings, bank loans)?(Required)

What are your parents' occupations? If retired, please state their previous occupation(Required)

If you have applied for other methods of funding, please provide details

Budget

Please specify, as accurately as possible, the costs you require for funding while studying (giving monthly breakdowns where applicable). Please note that shortlisted candidates will be expected to show a thorough understanding of their projected costs at interview. A lack of financial clarity is likely to undermine your bursary application.

Course fees (£)(Required)

Accommodation (£)(Required)

Travel (£)(Required)

Other (please specify in as much detail as possible)

Do you have any income? If so, please state the amount(Required)

Estimated total bursary amount required from the Journalism Diversity Fund (£)(Required)

If you'd like to provide any comments on the above, please do so:

Why do you want to be a journalist and what are your career aspirations?(Required)

Please limit your answer to a maximum of 100 words.

Please explain how you would bring diversity to a newsroom. Refer to your experiences as examples.(Required)

Please limit your answer to a maximum of 100 words.

Do you have the determination and potential to succeed in journalism? Please tell us why.(Required)

Please limit your answer to a maximum of 100 words.

Choose a LOCAL current news story. Why does it interest you? Summarise the key points and tell us how you would investigate, the angle you would take and who you would interview.(Required)

Limit your answer to a maximum of 300 words

Choose a NATIONAL current news story. How would you create a fresh angle for the story? Who would you interview? List FIVE questions you would ask your key interviewee.(Required)

Limit your answer to a maximum of 300 words

Please upload a piece of journalism you have completed.

Drop files here or

Max. file size: 50 MB, Max. files: 2.

Please attach either the original story plus cutting/URL/screenshot OR a piece of content demonstrating your research skills, communication and perseverance. Alternatively include a web link to any multimedia news item in the following question.

Why did you decide to produce this piece? What were the challenges in covering this piece and how did you deal with them?(Required)

Editor's recommendation

Max. file size: 50 MB.

If you would like to submit an editor's recommendation to support your application, please do so here

Specialist bursaries

The JDF manages a number of specialist bursaries, which are available to those who are successful in their main JDF applications, but which have their own, additional eligibility criteria. Securing one of the specialist bursaries opens up further opportunities, including work experience, additional mentoring and access to particular networks. You may put yourself forward for more than one specialist bursary, but please think carefully about which you might be most suitable for.

Thomas Read bursary

The Thomas ready bursary is awarded once a year to a candidate who has a long-term illness, health problem (physical or mental) or disability. The winner will receive an exclusive work placement with Sky Sports News. Find out more on the NCTJ website.

If you would like to be considered for the Thomas Read bursary, please tick the following:

I have a long-term illness, health problem (physical or mental)or disability

If successful, I will commit to complete a work placement with Sky Sports News

Please tell us why you should be considered for the Thomas Read bursary: (250 words max)

Aziz Foundation bursary

The Aziz Foundation bursaries are awarded to candidates who identify as British Muslim. Successful applicants will gain additional networking and insight opportunities. Find out more on the NCTJ website.

If you would like to be considered for the Aziz Foundation bursary, please tick the following:

I identify as British muslim

If successful, I will commit to networking and insight opportunities with the Aziz Foundation

Please tell us why you should be considered for the Aziz Foundation bursary: (250 words max)

The Football Journalism Bursary (FJB) bursary

The FJB bursary is designed to encourage those that are currently under-represented in the sports journalism industry or those that have faced hardship in entering the profession. As well as financial support via the JDF, the recipient will undertake work placements with Sports Journalism Partners and have access to a wide network of Sports Journalists.

If you would like to be considered for the FJB bursary, please tick the following:

I have a particular interest in sports journalism

If successful, I will commit to networking and mentoring opportunities

Please tell us why you should be considered for the FJB bursary: (250 words max)

Equal opportunities monitoring (optional and confidential)

The Journalism Diversity Fund is committed to equal opportunities for all, irrespective of race, colour, creed, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital status, sexuality, disability or age. Please provide the following information to help us monitor the effectiveness of our policies. This information will be treated in the strictest confidence and will be used only for statistical monitoring. It is not part of the selection process and will be separated from the application prior to any selection activity.

Gender

Male

Female

Non-binary

Other

Date of birth

DD slash MM slash YYYY

Ethnicity

Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi

Asian or Asian British - Indian

Asian or Asian British - other background

Black or Black British - Black African

Black or Black British - Black Caribbean

Black or Black British - other background

Chinese or Chinese British

Mixed - other mixed background

Mixed - White & Asian

Mixed - White & Black African

Mixed - White & Black Caribbean

White - British English

White - British Scottish

White - British Welsh

White - Irish

White - Other White background

Prefer not to disclose

Other

Do you have a long-term illness, health problem or disability which limits your activities or the work you can do?

Yes

If yes, please briefly explain

Bursary eligibility

Please attach a copy of your passport, birth certificate or a certificate of naturalisation as proof of British citizenship(Required)

Max. file size: 50 MB.

I confirm that the information supplied on this form is correct and that I meet the following eligibility criteria:

I have applied for/secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course

I will not have started the course before the bursaries are awarded

I come from a socially or ethnically diverse background

I do not have the financial means to support myself on an NCTJ-accredited course and am not in receipt of another bursary award

I have attached my proof of British citizenship and I have the right to reside in the UK

I have demonstrated genuine commitment and potential to be a successful journalist

Future marketing

Even if you are not successful in your JDF application, we would like to keep you informed about NCTJ journalism training opportunities in the future. Please confirm whether you are happy for us to send you occasional emails about possible courses or other training news.

Please tick one:(Required)

Yes, I would like to receive information about NCTJ training courses and opportunities.

No, I would rather not receive further information about NCTJ training