Ugandan journalists qualify as international applicants because non-U.S. citizens apply through the international competition. Applicants must have at least five years of professional journalism experience and currently work for a news organisation or as an independent journalist. Eligible roles include reporters, editors, data journalists, visual journalists, audio producers, designers, developers, engagement specialists, entrepreneurs and newsroom change agents. Public-relations practitioners, lobbyists and degree seekers are not eligible.

Knight-Wallace Fellowships provide mid-career journalists with an academic year at the University of Michigan to pursue an individual journalism project, deepen subject expertise and develop new professional skills. International journalists form part of each fellowship cohort.

Benefits
Fellows receive an USD 85,000 stipend distributed monthly from August through April plus USD 5,000 for relocation expenses. Wallace House pays costs associated with health insurance, auditing university courses, required workshops and fellowship activities and provides relocation and housing-search assistance. The programme includes specialised University of Michigan resources, private seminars, professional workshops and international fellowship travel.

Requirements
Applicants complete the international fellowship application describing their professional journalism record, proposed fellowship project and professional-development objectives and provide the supporting information and journalism work requested in the application. International selection includes a second application phase and interviews for finalists.

How to apply
The 2027-28 application is officially scheduled to open in October 2026. Review the international applicant instructions, then complete the Knight-Wallace application through the official OpenWater application platform. Submit the international application by 2026-12-01.