Winners of 2026 specialist Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries revealed

The winners of this year’s specialist Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries have been revealed.  

The NCTJ congratulated the three successful aspiring journalists at its Inclusion in Journalism conference at Sky today (6 November).  

The annual inclusion event was attended by recipients of the NCTJ’s Journalism Diversity Fund bursaries, alongside alumnus of the scheme, educators and working journalists.  

The bursaries are awarded to aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds who need help covering the cost of studying for the Level 5 Diploma in Journalism. Recipients can also apply for specialist funding, which offers targeted support.  

Iqbaal Abdi and Balqiis Ali, who are both studying at News Associates in London, were both recipients of an Aziz Foundation bursary this year.  

Iqbaal said: “I’m very thankful to the foundation, the JDF and the NCTJ for giving me this opportunity, without which I wouldn’t be able to become a journalist or it would have taken me a lot longer.”

Balqiis said: “I’m very excited about the future and what it can look like. And this is a very good step towards my ambitions.”

Bursaries from the family-run foundation offer additional networking and insight opportunities to students from Muslim backgrounds.  

Lina Charki, programme manager at the Aziz Foundation, said Iqbaal has the “determination and potential that this bursary seeks to nurture”, while Balqiis is “passionate and has a natural eye for engaging with important stories”. 

Meanwhile, the family of the late Thomas Read awarded their bursary to Blessing Nkama, a student at Press Association Academy.  

The Thomas Read Bursary was set up in memory of the Sky Sports News journalist who had cerebral palsy and died unexpectedly in 2015, aged 25. 

It is awarded each year to a recipient who has a long-term illness or disability and gains them a placement at Sky Sports News. 

Blessing said: “This bursary will give me the confidence and opportunity to enter places I never thought were accessible to me. 

“The opportunity to work at Sky Sports News means a lot to me because I will be able to continue Thomas’ legacy by making my presence known in the sports journalism world, and contributing to a diverse and inclusive industry.” 

Carolyn Read, Thomas’ mother and founder of the bursary, said: “We were very impressed with her application, which showed her determination, enthusiasm and positive attitude. 

“Her qualities reflect Thomas’ commitment to succeed and to excel as a journalist.” 

Find out more about the JDF, including how to apply for funding or how to support the scheme, here.  

Find out more about the NCTJ’s Inclusion in Journalism conference here.