Firearm Violence Reporting Fellowship

Investigating gun violence: a fellowship for in-depth, impactful journalism

Gun violence is more than a political debate — it’s a public health crisis with far-reaching consequences. The Firearm Violence Reporting Fellowship, supported by The Joyce Foundation,  offers journalists the time, mentoring, and resources to investigate this urgent issue in depth. If you’re ready to uncover the complexities of firearm violence and bring critical stories to light, this fellowship is for you. 

This fellowship allows mid-career journalists to maintain their regular employment while working on a major project over a 9-month period. You’ll pursue a project with the support of your newsroom or a pre-arranged outlet that commits to publishing or airing your work.

Four journalists will pitch projects that dive deeply into critical components such as policy impacts, societal consequences, preventive strategies, research and health care responses to firearm-related injuries and deaths.

The fellowship covers the cost of attending AHCJ’s annual conference and an in-person seminar, as well as a $2,500 project allowance to defray the cost of field reporting, health data analysis and other project-related research. In addition, fellows will receive a $5,000 award upon the successful completion of the project.

Expectations

Candidates must be based in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, or Wisconsin,
be working journalists who qualify for AHCJ professional membership and have at least five years of experience in health or crime/courts reporting. We value and celebrate diversity and the building of a more inclusive journalism landscape and encourage journalists of all backgrounds and identities to apply.

Each employer (or freelancer’s intended outlet) will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation, pledging to support the fellow’s full participation in the fellowship, including:

• Attendance at AHCJ’s annual conference and one pre-conference event in Los Angeles.
• An in-person seminar in late summer/early fall.
• Up to three virtual trainings.
• Travel as needed to complete the project.
• Adequate time to report and write the project.
• Editorial and technical support required to publish or air the work by March 15, 2026.
• Agreement that AHCJ and The Joyce Foundation have the right to republish or otherwise make available the completed project as an educational tool, with appropriate credit given to the original outlet. 
• Inclusion of a credit line accompanying the reporter’s package or series that acknowledges support provided by AHCJ through The Joyce Foundation.

What’s covered

The fellowship provides:

• Attendance at a two-day seminar, including food, lodging and travel (location TBD).
• A project allowance of up to $2,500 that can be used for field reporting trips, data purchases and other approved research expenses.
• Attendance at the AHCJ annual conference, including travel, lodging and registration.
• One year’s professional membership in AHCJ.
• A $5,000 fellowship award for the successful completion of the project by March 15, 2026.

Anticipated schedule

• May 28 – June 1, 2025: Fellowship kickoff (Los Angeles).
• September 2025: Seminar (location TBD).
• Winter 2025/Spring 2026: Up to three virtual training sessions.

Application checklist

• Apply early! Applications for the Firearm Violence Reporting Fellowship are accepted on a rolling basis, with a deadline of April 4, 2025. Once reviewed, slots will be filled — so early applications are strongly encouraged for the best chance of being selected. 
• A two-page project proposal outlining your topic, why it’s a good story for your audience, reporting locations, potential sources and how the topic is revelatory as a subject (or novel in its approach). We need to see some evidence of your prior reporting or research on the topic. 
• Complete the application form, which will include:
  • A one-sentence overview of your proposal.
  • A paragraph explaining why you are applying for the fellowship and how it will help your professional development.
  • A paragraph on the impact reporting on this project will have (quantitative and qualitative).
  • A paragraph on the primary audience/demographic for the project (who you’re serving).
• A current resume.
• A letter of recommendation from your current employer that addresses:
  • The benefits of the fellowship to you and the news organization’s audience, as well as the employer’s commitment to support the project, including scheduling sufficient time for you to pursue the project (see above). Freelance applicants should submit a letter from an assigning editor who has agreed to provide an outlet for the final project.
• Your best work sample published or aired during the past 12 months.

Applications are currently closed.

Questions? Contact Andrea Waner, andrea@healthjournalism.org.

Current Fellows

2025

Read the press release.