Sixteen bursaries awarded in second JDF round of 2021

Sixteen bursaries have been awarded in the second Journalism Diversity Fund round of 2021.
These aspiring journalists were awarded funding to begin NCTJ-accredited courses in the 2021-22 academic year, and bursaries can help fund their course fees and/or living expenses.

Twenty shortlisted candidates were interviewed remotely on Friday, 16 July. The interview panels included senior managers and editors from the NCTJ, PA Media, BMJ, Aziz Foundation, DMG Media, BBC Africa, Journalists’ Charity, Financial Times, Insider Inc, The Printing Charity, Reach plc and Yahoo UK.

Bursaries were awarded to:

  • Perkin Amalaraj, News Associates London
  • Ezra Arahu, News Associates London
  • Charissa Cheong, News Associates London
  • Ryan Dinsdale, News Associates London
  • Miranda Dunne, Kingston University
  • Michael Ellis, News Associates London
  • Victoria Hornagold, Salford University
  • Zainab Hussain, News Associates London
  • Erin Memmott, Sheffield College
  • Emma Montgomery, Ulster University
  • Thomas Moorcroft, University of Sunderland
  • Zoe Pickburn, News Associates Manchester
  • Rebecca Sayce, City of Wolverhampton College
  • Timothy Sigsworth, News Associates London
  • Luke Whelan, PA Training
  • Daniel Woodburn, Salford University

At their interviews, the candidates were questioned on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

The fund was set up in 2005 with a donation of £100,000 from NLA media access, with the aim of encouraging more diverse people to train as journalists and making newsrooms better reflect the communities they serve.

Thanks to the financial support of the industry, we have now awarded more than 400 bursaries since 2005.

Applications are now open for the third round of 2021, until Wednesday, 28 July.

For more information, please contact journalismdiversityfund@nctj.com.

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