Want to grow as a journalist while absorbing a universe of green knowledge? Apply for the Grist Fellowship Program. We are an independent nonprofit media organization that shapes the country’s environmental conversations, making green second nature for our monthly audience of 2,000,000 and growing. At Grist, we use humor and real talk to connect big issues like climate change to the places where people live, work, and play.
What is the Grist Fellowship Program?
The Grist Fellowship Program is an opportunity to hone your skills at a national news outlet and deepen your knowledge of environmental issues. We’re looking for early-career journalists with a variety of skills, from traditional reporting to multimedia whizbangery. We will offer exposure to the leading sustainability thinkers and theories of our time, real-world experience at a fast-paced news site, and the occasional scrumptious snacks.
What is expected of the fellows?
Fellows will work full-time, making daily contributions to Grist’s editorial operations including (but not limited to) research, reporting, story ideas, writing, and multimedia projects. Working closely with the fellowship program manager, each fellow will also identify a long-term special project to produce in collaboration with others on the team. We will encourage full participation in staff discussions and meetings, seek input on issues large and small, and laugh politely (or heartily, depending on the circumstances) at all your jokes.
What are the details?
Fellows work out of Grist’s Seattle office. Fellows must make a six-month commitment. The fellowship pays $2,250 per month. In special cases the fellowship will be renewable once by mutual agreement between the fellow and Grist. Renewal candidates will be considered alongside the applicant pool for the next fellowship cycle.
Who should apply?
Curious, self-motivated, hard-working individuals who want to raise the bar for environmental journalism and who have a profound interest in growing as a storyteller. We are looking for writers, reporters, and editors, as well as all-stars in areas such as video, social media, data visualization, animation, and multimedia programming. Candidates are most likely college graduates or j-school grads with some experience in the field.
THE APPLICATION
Applicants must submit the following in one PDF attachment:
1. A resume and cover letter. We are looking for a succinct, thoughtful cover letter that displays your qualifications, enthusiasm, and communication style.
2. Pitch two short-form story ideas for the Grist website. These stories would fall into the Gristmill or Grist List sections. Each story idea should be a brief paragraph.
3. You got the assignment! Pick one of the ideas you pitched in the above section and write the actual story. The story should run no longer than 400 words. Please include a link to an image or video that you would run with the story. (Note: We do not intend to publish this assignment, so don’t worry about whether you have the rights to the image or video.)
4. Pitch a feature story idea. What aspect of the environmental/sustainability story are you passionate about covering? How would you explore that passion in the form of a feature story for Grist? Please specify how you would approach the feature, including target sources, length and format, potential angle, multimedia aspects, etc. Pitch should be no longer than 300 words.
5. Three samples of your work. Writing samples can be newspaper or magazine clips, blog posts, or unpublished pieces. We will gladly accept links to multimedia samples (video, illustration, infographic, podcast, etc.), but cannot review original files.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications should be emailed to fellowships@grist.org. Please include all materials in one PDF attachment. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
For fellowships that begin in August 2014, please submit applications by April 25, 2014.
No phone calls, please and thank you.
Grist is an equal-opportunity employer.