2026 Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards
Offered by Overseas Press Club Foundation
About this scholarship
The 2026 Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards help emerging international journalists fund independent work or gain foreign-bureau experience. In a typical year, the foundation selects 18 recipients. Winners receive either a $3,000 scholarship for independent reporting or a $4,000 fellowship supporting time in a bureau of a major news organization. College juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled at the deadline may apply if they attend a North American college or university; American students studying abroad are also eligible. Applicants of any nationality are welcome, but the program is designed for people pursuing careers as international correspondents rather than established mid-career professionals. One application document of no more than 10 MB combines a one-page autobiographical cover letter, one-page journalism-focused resume, and one work sample. Print candidates submit 600-800 words; photo candidates submit a PDF or portfolio link plus roughly 500 words of context; video or audio candidates submit a two-to-seven-minute link plus approximately 500 contextual words. Applicants credit collaborators, identify prior publication or editing, and disclose responsible AI use. Four awards are reserved for international business or economic coverage. Winners must attend the March 2027 New York City reception and related professional programming. The official page provides the submission route and requires complete applications by November 15, 2026.
Eligibility
- Be a college junior, senior, or graduate student enrolled at the deadline
- Attend a North American college or university, or be an American student studying abroad
- Demonstrate a serious interest in international journalism
- Prepare a one-page cover letter and one-page journalism resume
- Submit one qualifying print, photo, video, or audio work sample with required context
- Combine all required elements into one DOC or PDF file no larger than 10 MB
- Credit collaborators and clearly disclose any responsible AI use
- Be available for the required March 2027 New York City events if selected
- Submit by November 15, 2026