An undertaking of Island Press Limited, The Philanthropist Journal, the University of King’s College School of Journalism, and the Nova Scotia Community College Radio Television Journalism program, the fellowship provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to community and civil society in Prince Edward Island.
An undertaking of Island Press Limited, The Philanthropist Journal, the University of King’s College School of Journalism, and the Nova Scotia Community College Radio Television Journalism program, the fellowship provides one Black and/or Indigenous journalist an opportunity to write about issues that matter to local communities and civil society.
Island Press Limited is a small, feisty, family-owned publisher of community newspapers in rural PEI. Its publications offer a mix of hyperlocal news with public service journalism in a classic watchdog fashion. It is deeply connected to community. It is a two-time finalist for the Michener Award and winner of the CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism.
The Philanthropist Journal, a publication of the Agora Foundation, publishes weekly stories by and for the non-profit sector in Canada. It covers issues that matter to sector workers and volunteers with rigorous, independent, and practical writing. It has been publishing articles written by and for the sector since 1972.
The paid fellowship is designed specifically for emerging Black and/or Indigenous journalists, both of whom are underrepresented in Canadian media compared to the general population. The aim of the fellowship is to provide one or two emerging journalists with mentorship and an opportunity to write about issues that matter to community and civil society in Prince Edward Island. The fellow will learn the craft of community long-form journalism and make industry connections with Black, Indigenous, and other seasoned journalists, along with those in the non-profit and charitable sector.
- The fellow is a student or graduate from the University of King’s College School of Journalism or the Nova Scotia Community College Radio Television Journalism program.
- The fellow will write two articles on topics relevant to the audiences of Island Press and The Philanthropist Journal, with the pieces co-published by both outlets.
- The fellow may choose what they want to write about by pitching story ideas as part of their application package; pitches can be refined once the fellowship begins.
- The fellowship begins in early March 2026 (negotiable) and may last up to 12 months, but can finish as soon as the two articles are completed.
- The University of King’s College School of Journalism and the Nova Scotia Community College Radio Television Journalism program will help match the fellow with a mentor.
- The fellowship is part-time and flexible. Other than weekly check-ins, the fellow is free to organize their own schedule as long as deadlines are met.
This fellowship was made possible through funding and support from the Rideau Hall Foundation.
The fellow will receive $10,000 total, or, depending on the applications we receive, we may split the fellowship between two fellows who each write one article each and receive $5,000.
How to apply
Applicants should submit a cover letter introducing themselves and expressing how the fellowship would benefit them. Applications should also include a CV, one or more published writing samples, and at least one pitch for a story. Pitches should be no more than 500 words; the proposed story should relate to a social or community issue of interest to people in Prince Edward Island. We’re looking for story ideas that could grow into insightful, thoroughly reported stand-alone features, ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 words, on subjects or angles that haven’t been covered before. Island Press will not consider applications that have been written with the help of generative AI. Please submit your application to info@thephilanthropist.ca.
Application deadline: January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.