$14,000 Chicago Journalists in Residence Fellowship

The Stigler Center at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business brings working journalists from around the world to its Hyde Park campus in Chicago for about 12 weeks. Participants audit Booth classes, join Stigler Center seminars and events, and deepen their understanding of how politics and the economy interact, supported by a $14,000 stipend and reimbursed airfare. The Spring 2027 cohort runs tentatively from March 15 to May 31, 2027.

What you get:

• A $14,000 stipend to cover living expenses over the 12 weeks, subject to tax withholding of up to 14 percent for international participants
• Reimbursement of economy-class airfare to and from Chicago
• Reimbursement of SEVIS and visa application fees
• Health insurance through UChicago's student plan, which is mandatory and paid for out of the stipend unless you show equivalent coverage of your own
• Three Booth classes to audit, plus seminars and workshops at Chicago Booth and across the university
• The option to write for the ProMarket digital publication
• Guidance and resources for finding short-term housing in Chicago
• A certificate of participation on completing the programme, which is not a degree

What you'll do:

• Spend about 12 weeks on the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus
• Audit three classes at Chicago Booth, taking part in class and completing all required readings and assignments
• Attend weekly Stigler Center seminars, lunch workshops, lectures, conferences and social events
• Work alongside Booth faculty, students and a cohort of journalists from other countries and outlets
• Sign a letter of agreement with the center setting out the programme's and the university's expectations

Key dates:

• Applications close September 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Chicago time
• Decisions announced by the end of December 2026
• Spring 2027 programme runs tentatively March 15 to May 31, 2027

More information:

• How to apply: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/research/stigler/education/journalists-in-residence-program/jir-apply
• FAQ on stipend timing, tax, health insurance and visas: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/research/stigler/education/journalists-in-residence-program/jir-faq
• Past participants by year: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/research/stigler/education/journalists-in-residence-program/jir-past-participants
• You may keep working during the programme, but the FAQ warns that classes, assignments and weekly events make for a very full schedule
• Partners or dependents may come with you, but their travel, housing and insurance are entirely your own responsibility
• Questions: stiglercenter@chicagobooth.edu

• Open to journalists working in all forms of media around the world, including editors and freelancers
• At least some years of experience. The FAQ says strong applicants have at least a few years of post-degree working experience in the field, so experience mainly from internships is unlikely to be competitive
• Proficient English. Non-native speakers must submit proof, such as a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or Cambridge result, work in an English-speaking office, or a letter from an employer or manager; this is waived if your degree was taught in English
• An interest in political economy. Articles on political economy and Stigler-related topics are strongly preferred but not required
• Submit online: a CV, personal statements on your interest in and goals for the programme, and three published news articles
• Two letters of recommendation, submitted directly by your recommenders through a separate portal link; letters uploaded by the applicant are not accepted
• Articles not in English need an English translation. TV and radio journalists send links to their work in a PDF or Word document, with English transcriptions
• Enough personal funds, about USD 3,000 to 5,000, to cover living costs for up to the first month, because the stipend can take up to a month to arrive
• Health insurance for the whole programme, either the university's plan or proof of your own equivalent cover
• International participants are usually issued J-1 visas