Two hundred Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries awarded in 10 years

A total of 200 training bursaries have been awarded by the Journalism Diversity Fund since it was set up 10 years ago. Four up-and-coming journalists have been awarded bursaries to begin their journalism training at NCTJ-accredited courses in the final cohort of 2015.
Bursaries were awarded to:

• Beth Baldwin, Press Association Newcastle
• David Laniyan, Lambeth College
• Mantej Mann, Press Association London
• Abiola Olanipekun, News Associates London

The interviews were kindly hosted by The Daily Telegraph on Friday, 4 December. The interviewing panel consisted of Joanne Butcher, chief executive, NCTJ, Cheryl Varley, social mobility executive, BBC and Hugh Muir, leader writer and columnist, The Guardian.

The interviewees were quizzed on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

Cheryl said: “It was an inspiring experience to meet the applicants and a privilege to be part of the process that awarded them bursaries. The diversity fund is a wonderful initiative that tackles in a practical way the economic and cultural issues that have led to journalism becoming the most socially exclusive profession of all. Honoured to be involved and wish the fund every success in the future.”

Bursaries are awarded four times a year to students planning to study an NCTJ-accredited course. They are awarded to students from socially or ethnically diverse backgrounds and can help them cover the cost of course fees and living expenses.

This was the last round of bursaries granted for this academic year between September 2015 and August 2016.

Applications for the next academic year will be accepted from spring 2016. The exact dates will be published on the diversity fund website in the new year.