The California Local News Fellowship is a multi-year, state-funded initiative to strengthen local reporting across California. Since 2023, the program has placed early-career journalists in newsrooms throughout the state. We offer two-year reporting fellowships and one-year editing fellowships. Fellows are UC Berkeley employees. Partner newsrooms host fellows and provide day-to-day support. 

This application is for:

• New applicants: Newsrooms that have not yet hosted a California Local News Fellow and are applying for a reporter to cover a beat identified by your newsroom.
• Editing Fellows: We offer a one-year editing fellowship to train the next generation of editors, in partnership with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. New and returning newsrooms are eligible for this fellowship. Up to five editing fellowships will be awarded. (Newsrooms currently hosting an editing fellow are not eligible.) 
• Returning reporting applicants: Newsrooms that have hosted a general assignment California Local News Fellow in previous cohorts, and newsrooms currently hosting a reporting fellow finishing up in August 2027. 

Newsrooms are eligible to host both a reporting fellow and an editing fellow at once. 

California Local News Fellows will begin working in their newsrooms in early September 2027 and complete the program in August 2029. Editing fellows will begin working in their newsrooms in early September 2027 and complete the program in August 2028.

Review our Newsroom FAQ to learn more about the fellowship and whether it is a good match for your newsroom.

This application is your opportunity to describe your newsroom, the fellow’s role, how they will serve your community and your plans for supporting their professional development. Responses should give a clear sense of your editorial mission and newsroom environment.

Returning newsrooms may copy and update, as needed, their responses from their previous application. Email cafellows@berkeley.edu for a copy. 

Saving a draft of this application: Select "Save Draft" below to return to application later. A reminder will be emailed 48 hours before the deadline to anyone with an unfinished application.  

Note: When you answer some questions below, the form will unlock more required questions.

This application closes on December 2, 2026 at 6 p.m. PT. Late submissions will not be accepted.