Click here for the December 7, 2023
public announcement of 50 recipients
A scholarship to accelerate learnings for professionals from under-represented groups who are committed to growing the news business and aspire to global best practices
Equitable inclusion
Training & development
Overcoming barriers
Early- to mid-career
About the Elevate Scholarships
The Elevate Scholarship programme, supported by the Google News Initiative, is designed to strengthen the future of the news business by embracing and elevating historically under-represented and disadvantaged groups in early- to mid-level positions at news media companies in all regions of the world.
Through Elevate Scholarships, the International News Media Association (INMA) wants to equip new faces and voices with strong news industry business fundamentals that will propel their individual careers, and big picture, will infuse the industry with the talent it needs to face today’s challenging business landscape.
Removing obstacles for equitable inclusion in news industry training and development can shatter the glass ceiling for professionals from under-represented groups, which hampers innovation and the future of news media. Our industry benefits from engaging a range of perspectives that represent the communities we serve: ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientations, religions, disabilities, access to higher education, and more.
Past winners of the Elevate Scholarship represent all regions of the globe: Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, Europe, and the South Pacific. Diversity and inclusion are global issues that manifest uniquely in each location.
Do you qualify?
To be considered for the Elevate Scholarship, you must:
Be a part of an under-represented and disadvantaged group within your country
Be actively involved in, or aspire to be an integral part of, the business side of news media
– subscriptions, data, product, advertising, the business of newsrooms (this is the focus of INMA training)
Be employed by a news media company
Hold a position below senior management at your organisation
Be in the business of news media for less than 15 years
Be under age 45
Aspire to become a top manager at a news media company
To be considered for the Elevate Scholarship, you must:
Be a part of an under-represented and disadvantaged group within your country
Be actively involved in, or aspire to be an integral part of, the business side of news media
– subscriptions, data, product, advertising, the business of newsrooms (this is the focus of INMA training)
Be employed by a news media company
Hold a position below senior management at your organisation
Be in the business of news media for less than 15 years
Be under age 45
Aspire to become a top manager at a news media company
Fees and deadlines
Fee
There is no application fee
Deadline to apply
October 6, 2023
(application opens September 2023)
Fee
There is no application fee
Deadline to apply
October 6, 2023
(application opens September 2023)
Testimonials
"Being part of the third cohort of the INMA Elevate Scholarship has been life-changing. The community and resources that were made available to me as a scholar greatly deepened my understanding of news management, the use of digital tools for better audience engagement, networking, and mentoring. I can confidently say my career has moved a notch higher because of the training and learning experience I had at INMA."
Jamila Okertchiri, Journalist, Daily Guide Network
"The mentorship and guidance that accompanied the INMA Elevate scholarship program have been truly transformative. Through the live sessions, recorded webinars, and interactions with industry professionals from different newsrooms across the world, I have gained invaluable insights into the latest trends, techniques, and practices in media. The knowledge and expertise shared during these sessions have not only enhanced my academic learning but have also equipped me with practical skills that are highly sought after in the modern news industry."
Perseverance Javangwe, Information Officer/Editor, Community Voices Zimbabwe
"Being a 2023 Elevate Scholarship beneficiary has brought immense growth in my career as a journalist and to 102 Mega Fm in Gulu, Uganda, where I work as a sub Editor. I have learned through the Webinars the importance of innovation of news media products, digital media, and how it can increase revenue. As a local broadcast media house, we used to focus mostly on our on-air audience giving little attention to our online audience, but this is quickly changing. Our Web site is now always busy with news content. We are also working on news content to share on social media platforms like YouTube and are looking at getting monetized considering our revenues have been dwindling over the last few years. I have shared with the senior management team most of the things I learned during the Webinars, and they are happy to adopt some of them. We are looking forward to growing our audience and revenue."
Justine Muboka, Sub Editor, 102 Mega FmCriteria for selection
Criteria: INMA will award up to 50 Elevate Scholarships based on the applicant’s needs, aspirations, barriers, and the stories they tell in the application process.
Who should apply: The Elevate Scholarship is for early- to mid-level career professionals at a news media company who have a passion for the business of news media. Individuals who apply will be looking to grow their career and gather fundamental skills needed to create a sustainable business model for the future of journalism and news media. Applicants must demonstrate how they’re currently involved in the business of news media and articulate what business skills they would like to obtain in the areas of subscriptions, product, data, advertising, and the business of newsrooms.
Multiple competitions: INMA conducts multiple awards and scholarship competitions. You may apply for multiple scholarships, though winners of other INMA personal awards or scholarships in 2020-2023 are not eligible for an Elevate Scholarship.