Journalism Scholarships

Abe Schechter, a true pioneer of radio news, became the first VP of news for NBC. He began his career in newspapers, then moved to radio. During WWII, he became senior PR officer for General MacArthur. He eventually returned to NBC where he helped create the Today show. From there, he became part owner of the Mutual Broadcasting System. In the 1960s Schechter, along with RTNDF trustee George Glazer, founded a PR firm that was subsequently sold to Hill & Knowlton. Schechter and his wife died in a car accident in 1970, and this $2,000 scholarship was set up in his memory.

An award established in early 1999 by N.S. Bienstock, Inc. owners, Richard Leibner and Carole Cooper. N.S. Bienstock has been the leading agency for representation of electronic journalists and reality-based programming for more than 35 years and is a long-time member of RTNDA. This award recognizes a promising minority journalist in radio or television news management.

The Radio and Television News Directors Foundation Broadcast News Management Fellowship sends journalist of color to leadership and management training programs for news professionals. The RTNDF fellowship program allows senior broadcast news and mid-career professionals of color to develop or strengthen their management skills. Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by a supervisor. Each candidate must submit an application form and a letter of recommendation from his or her supervisor. Candidates also are urged to work with the supervisor to determine what skills and training they need to advance. Fellowship winners will attend workshops on such topics as developing management competence, leadership and communication skills.

The Educator in the Newsroom Fellowships are an initiative by the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation to enhance the quality of broadcast journalism education and to strengthen the caliber of the future broadcast news workforce. Funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, this project places college journalism educators at local television and radio newsrooms for four weeks during their summer break. Each fellow is given a concrete work assignment and actively participates in daily newsroom operations. Check website for more information.

RTNDF offers 3-month internships sponsored by the Radio-Television Correspondents Association. These fully-paid internships are based in Washington, DC and are available for recent college graduates whose career objective is electronic journalism.

The JNMA Awards for Medical Journalism are given to students who demonstrate skill and interest in medical journalism. These awards also recognize academic achievement and leadership. Candidates must be in the third or fourth years of medical school and must have published articles and photographs in, or been writers, editors or photographers on the staffs of: Medical school newspapers; Medical student journals, such as the Journal of the Student National Medical Association or the New Physician magazine; Recognized professional journals such as the Journal of the National Medical Association, the Journal of the American Medical Association, or the New England Journal of Medicine; or Other respected scientific journals. Students who have written, produced or directed health-related films, commercials or videos are also encouraged to submit their applications and samples of their work in consideration for an Award in Medical Journalism. Each JNMA Award in Medical Journalism include a cash prize of $2,500.

Two scholarships are awarded annually to minority college students seeking a degree in religious journalism or mass communications, or pursuing a career in religious communications. Leonard M. Perryman Communications Scholarship for Ethnic Minority Students Scholarship Committee, Public Media Division P.O. Box 320 Nashville, TN 37202 (800) 476-7766 www.umc.org/nymo/scholar.html

NPPA members provide support for this scholarship, especially members of the NPPF Booster Club made up of NPPA life members. The scholarship is for television photojournalism students. Open only to undergraduate students. Applicants must: •Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada or have been accepted at a four-year institution to complete suspended studies. •Provide evidence of an aptitude for photojournalism as well as academic ability and financial need. •Provide grade point average as an indication that applicant can successfully complete college studies. Explain financial need. •Use the scholarship at the beginning of the next semester. Otherwise, it will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate candidate. •A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who knows your work is required.

NPPA members provide support for this scholarship, especially members of the NPPF Booster Club made up of NPPA life members. The scholarship is for photojournalism students concentrating on still and multimedia. Open only to undergraduate students. Applicants must: •Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada or have been accepted at a four-year institution to complete suspended studies. •Provide evidence of an aptitude for photojournalism as well as academic ability and financial need. •Provide grade point average as an indication that applicant can successfully complete college studies. Explain financial need. •Use the scholarship at the beginning of the next semester. Otherwise, it will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate candidate. •A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who knows your work is required.

Jimi Lott, a Seattle Times photographer for over 20 years, was known for his keen eye, his compassion, and boundless energy. His work focused on the less fortunate in the community including the homeless and the mentally ill. He died in 2005 at age 52. Open only to undergraduate students. Scholarship is awarded to encourage those with talent and dedication to photojournalism and who need financial help to continue their studies. These awards are directed toward those studying full-time or returning to college. Applicants must: •Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada or have been accepted at a four-year institution to complete suspended studies. •Provide evidence of an aptitude for photojournalism as well as academic ability and financial need. •Provide grade point average as an indication that applicant can successfully complete college studies. Explain financial need. •Use the scholarship at the beginning of the next semester. Otherwise, it will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate candidate. •A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who knows your work is required.

Established in 2014 by Rich Clarkson. For 25 years, Rich Clarkson was the director of photography at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He also led the photo and art department at The Denver Post as Assistant Managing Editor/Graphics and was The National Geographic Magazine’s Director of Photography in the 1980s. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship is awarded to encourage those with talent and dedication to photojournalism and who need financial help to continue their studies. These awards are directed toward those studying full-time or returning to college. Applicants must: •Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada or have been accepted at a four-year institution to complete suspended studies. •Provide evidence of an aptitude for photojournalism as well as academic ability and financial need. •Provide grade point average as an indication that applicant can successfully complete college studies. Explain financial need. •Use the scholarship at the beginning of the next semester. Otherwise, it will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate candidate. •A letter of recommendation from a faculty member who knows your work is required. If applying for the Clarkson scholarship, a letter of recommendation is required from a non faculty member as well.

Named for a New Jersey photographer who was paralyzed in a swimming accident but continued to pursue photojournalism education. Baxter set up this scholarship before his death. Scholarship is awarded to encourage those with talent and dedication to photojournalism and who need financial help to continue their studies. These awards are directed toward those studying full-time or returning to college. Open to undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants must: •Be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited four-year college or university in the U.S. or Canada or have been accepted at a four-year institution to complete suspended studies. •Provide evidence of an aptitude for photojournalism as well as academic ability and financial need. •Provide grade point average as an indication that applicant can successfully complete college studies. Explain financial need. •Use the scholarship at the beginning of the next semester. Otherwise, it will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate candidate.