Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental Journalism

JOB SUMMARY

Take your journalism skills to the next level and deepen your understanding of environmental issues by applying for the Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental Journalism. Five accepted candidates will audit courses, participate in field trips and weekly seminars, and work on a significant project. These positions are offered by the Center for Environmental Journalism, part of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Employment begins at the start of the Fall 2026 semester and runs for nine months through the end of the Spring 2027 semester. All university breaks and holidays will be observed.

The Center for Environmental Journalism (CEJ) was established in 1992 at the University of Colorado Boulder to enrich public understanding of environmental issues by elevating the quality, range, and depth of coverage by journalists. The center does this by helping journalists enhance their knowledge of the scientific, economic, political, cultural and social aspects of these issues.

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity! Our students and faculty from seven departments think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

We are pleased to receive applications from international applicants; however, please be advised that you must hold a current visa and be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application to be considered for this position.

The program provides an $80,000 stipend. It also covers tuition and fees, and attendance at the annual SEJ conference (all expenses paid). While we cannot offer the same benefits offered by the university, we can offer regional bus passes to offset the cost of transportation and parking as well as support for reporting trips.

Applicants must have five years of full‑time professional journalism experience and must also have a BA or BS college degree, at minimum.

Applicants may include reporters, editors, producers, photojournalists, documentarians, and feature writers. Both salaried staff and full‑time freelancers are welcome to apply. Prior experience in covering the environment is not required.

The Final date to receive applications is March 1, 2026, at 11:59pm (MST).

Below are the specific components required for a complete application to the Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental Journalism. Please label each file clearly, as shown below, and upload as attachments. If you have technical issues, please email all files in one message to the Program Manager: cej.

1. Resume/CV: Upload a resume in PDF format that includes your education, work history as a professional journalist, and journalism awards/honors you’ve received (with the year awarded). In addition to the dates that you held each position, briefly describe your duties.

2. Professional Autobiography: Please upload a PDF document of no more than 1,200 words addressing the following questions. Please do not duplicate your proposed study plan & project proposal.

• Why are you interested in the fellowship and why are you the best candidate?
• Describe your career as a journalist and the values that have shaped your work.
• What are your most noteworthy achievements?
• Why are you interested in covering environmental issues, and how would a Ted Scripps Fellowship benefit you?

Freelancers:
At the end of your Professional Autobiography, please list the assignments/jobs you’ve completed in the last 12 months, and for…