Position description
O’Brien Fellows complete, during nine-month Fellowships over two academic semesters, in-depth reporting projects of their choosing on a topic of state, regional, national, or international interest. See the Our Work section of our website for examples of previous O'Brien projects.
Since the O'Brien Fellowship began in 2013, most Fellows have worked from a home base in the O’Brien newsroom in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. O'Brien accepts remote, non-residential applications, but gives extra weight in the selection process to applicants ready to reside in Milwaukee during the Fellowship. (O'Brien provides residency/rental and moving allowances for residential Fellows who come from outside the Milwaukee area.) We strongly encourage those applying for O'Brien Fellowships to choose the residential option, owing to the advantages it provides to Fellows and the top Marquette journalism students they mentor while pursuing investigative projects.
Eligibility
We seek applications from staff-employed or independent journalists residing in the United States or its territories. Applicants should have at least five years of professional journalism experience as an employee or freelancer. Investigative reporting experience is preferred. Applicants may be connected to print operations, radio, television, websites, podcasts, online publications, wire services, or magazines of general public interest. There are no academic prerequisites.
Stipend and Benefits
A stipend of $75,000 for nine months, paid to your sponsoring organization or directly to the Fellow in the case of independent journalists.
- A residency allowance based on family requirements for Fellows moving to the Milwaukee metropolitan area for the duration of the fellowship: up to $7,000 for a single, married, or partnered Fellow, up to $9,000 for a Fellow with one child, up to $10,000 for a Fellow with two children, up to $12,000 for a Fellow with three or more children. Fellows submit rent receipts from the rental property owner. The allowance is paid in equal monthly installments over the course of the Fellowship.
- A moving allowance of up to $7,000. (Fellows from the Milwaukee metropolitan area are not eligible for a moving allowance.)
- A travel and research allowance up to $9,000. This covers project-related travel as well as technology, data, and document costs and equipment needs.
- Employee benefits continue to be paid by the Fellow’s employer, where applicable. Independent journalists can choose to select Marquette employee health insurance.
Selection and Criteria
- Potential to produce a rigorous, multimedia public service journalism project triggering major impact, significant reform, and creative solutions to social problems.
- Ability to complete the project during the nine-month Fellowship.
- Capacity to integrate Marquette students as part of a reporting team.
- Plan to ensure the greatest possible exposure for the project once completed.
- A Selection Committee consisting of distinguished journalists and Marquette faculty and alumni will interview candidates from a pool of finalists. Following those interviews, the Selection Committee will send a list of recommended Fellows to the Dean of the Diederich College of Communication for final review.
Application instructions
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