Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship

The Program

Launched in 1949, the Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship seeks to promote the quality of responsible and discerning journalism exemplified by the work of Edward R. Murrow. One Edward R. Murrow Press fellowship is awarded each year to a distinguished foreign correspondent or editor. The fellow spends ten months full time in residence at CFR’s headquarters in New York. The program enables the fellow to engage in sustained analysis and writing, expand his or her intellectual and professional horizons, and participate in CFR’s active program of meetings and events. The fellow is part of the David Rockefeller Studies Program, CFR’s think tank, alongside the program’s full-time, adjunct, and visiting fellows, whose expertise extends across the broad range of significant foreign policy issues facing the United States and the international community.

For journalists who have spent years in the field, the Murrow Fellowship is an invaluable opportunity to deepen their research away from daily news pressures, expand their contacts in the worlds of policy and government, and broaden their horizons.

Anne Barnard former Beirut Bureau Chief, New York Times (2018–19 Murrow Fellow)

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
Applicants must have distinguished credentials in the field of journalism.
Applicants must have covered international news as a working journalist for print, broadcast, or online media widely available in the United States.

Fellowship Award

The fellowship begins in September each year and lasts for ten months. The program awards a stipend of $100,000 as well as a modest travel grant. The fellow is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee of CFR and is not eligible for employment benefits, including health insurance.

Selection Process

Selection as a Murrow Fellow is based on the following criteria:

professional experience as a foreign correspondent or editor
firm grounding in foreign policy
clear, creative, and original application statement

The selection process is highly competitive. The selection committee chooses one applicant each year for the fellowship.

The Murrow Fellowship is an enriching experience and a valuable opportunity for any policy-angled journalist.

Fred Kaplan, War Stories columnist, Slate (2013–14 Murrow Fellow)

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online between January 2 and March 1, 2025, for the 2025–26 fellowship cycle.