Edward R. Murrow Press Fellowship
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. This transformational program enables the fellow to engage in sustained analysis and writing, expand their intellectual and professional horizons, and contribute to CFR’s active program of research, writing, 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 world.
The Murrow fellowship offers an unrivaled opportunity to think deeply about issues journalists have spent years reporting on, without the pressure of daily deadlines and in community with an incredible group of people deeply committed to foreign policy.
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
- Preference is given to senior-level professionals
Fellowship Award
The Murrow Fellowship offers a distinguished foreign correspondent or editor dedicated time and resources to pursue an independent project—from long-form writing to in-depth research or another body of work. Fellows become an integral part of the CFR community, contributing to events as moderators and collaborating with various departments throughout their tenure.
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.
Fellows may be based in CFR’s New York or Washington, DC office. The fellowship is intended as an in-person experience; fellows should expect to work on-site at least four days per week, with Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays as anchor days.
How to Apply
The application window for the 2026–27 fellowship cycle is now closed. Interested candidates who meet the program’s eligibility requirements can apply online in the fall, for the 2027–28 fellowship cycle. Awardees will be notified by spring 2027.
To apply, you will need to submit the following:
- Basic biographical, educational, and employment information
- A proposal on the significant foreign policy or global issue you would examine while at CFR
- Two letters of support
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. One fellowship is awarded each year.
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.
Contact Us
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