Geoffrey Stevens Fellowship for Political Reporting
How to apply
Applicants must compile a package in English or French that includes the items listed below. Each item should be labelled properly and saved as a separate Word or PDF document.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application Period
The application period for the fellowship is September 17, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET to October 15, 2026 5 p.m. ET.
Application package contents
Applicants working as a team should each send a CV. If this is a team application, please send all components in a single document.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 1 CV (if a team entry, the lead entrant)
A tightly-focused story pitch of no more than 1,000 words that demonstrates command of and insight into the proposed subject area, and that explains the story’s interest to a local or provincial audience. Applicants are also encouraged to highlight any potential impacts on public policy, if applicable.
The pitch should address a single topic, reveal research into the subject matter, and offer insight into possible storylines and interviewees. Applicants should clearly indicate as part of their application whether they have applied for any other grants, fellowships or related funding, or whether there are any current or potential institutional partners associated with the proposal.
They should also indicate the media format(s) they intend to use for their project, along with a concrete plan for engaging audiences online and through social media both prior to and after publication. The digital engagement strategy should include visual and/or audio components (photos, videos, podcasts, interactive elements, etc.) that would actively involve audiences and ensure the work remains available online into the future.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 2 Pitch
A reporting plan (no longer than one page) outlining the logistics of how and when the work will be researched, produced and published within the awarding year.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 3 Plan
A letter of support from a credible Canadian media outlet that includes a commitment to publish or broadcast the finished project in English or French. The letter must state that the published Fellowship project will be made freely available to the public immediately upon publication.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 4 Publishing
A budget plan indicating how the award will be used. Journalists who must forego salary or freelance income to complete their project may use a portion of the Fellowship money to cover lost compensation but news organizations publishing Fellowship projects are strongly encouraged to support their journalists, their projects and their applications by covering existing salaries or paying standard commissions during the Fellowship production period. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of lost income in the form of a letter from a supervisor.
Journalists employed by a media organization are encouraged to seek in-kind editorial and/or technical support from their organization so that as much of the Fellowship money as possible may be devoted to the expenses directly related to the mandate of the Fellowship.
Applicants should also clearly indicate as part of their application whether they have applied for any other grants, fellowships or related funding, or whether there are any current or potential institutional partners associated with the proposal.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 5 Budget
A document with links to work samples that display the range of the skills needed to deliver on the story pitch. Please do not send more than three links to clips and/or text-based stories. Applicants working as a team should each send up to three work samples. Any work behind a paywall should be saved as a PDF and sent separately.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 6 Work-1 // Last name, First name – 6 Work-2 etc.
All applicants should supply the names, titles and contact information (email and phone) of two supervising editors familiar with their work. For students, one of the references must be a faculty member who can speak to the capacity and preparedness of the student to successfully undertake the project. Applicants working as a team should each supply two references.
Only shortlisted applicants will be requested to provide reference letters. Be sure your references know that if they are required to write a letter, they will have two weeks in which to do so.
REQUIRED DOCUMENT FILE NAME: Last name, First name – 7 References
