Ugandan citizens qualify as international applicants because the international competition is open to non-U.S. citizens. Applicants must be working journalists with at least five years of full-time professional media experience. Eligible applicants can include reporters, editors, visual and audio journalists and professionals working for news organisations in areas such as technology, audience engagement, business or leadership.

The Nieman Fellowship brings accomplished journalists from around the world to Harvard for an academic year of study, reflection and professional growth. Fellows design individual study programmes using Harvard\'s university-wide academic resources while participating in the Nieman community.

Benefits
Fellows receive a USD 87,500 stipend paid over nine months. The Foundation provides a health-insurance supplement of up to USD 6,250 each for the fellow and spouse and up to USD 3,750 for each child younger than 18. Childcare allowances range from USD 10,500 for one eligible child to USD 16,750 for four or more children, with an additional USD 10,500 allowance for an eligible child aged three or younger.

Requirements
Applicants submit two essays consisting of a personal statement of up to 1,000 words and a Harvard study proposal of up to 500 words, a professional profile, a short study-proposal summary, recent professional work samples and three confidential recommendation letters. Work-sample requirements vary by journalism medium.

How to apply
Applications for the 2027-28 international fellowship are officially scheduled to open in the first week of October 2026. Complete the online Nieman application, upload the required essays, professional information and work samples and enter three recommenders. Submit the applicant portion by 2026-12-01; international recommendation letters are due 2026-12-15.