The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) is proud to launch a new Media Programs initiative in partnership with Religion News Service (RNS). This one-year journalism fellowship is a comprehensive incubator program that supports young Muslim professionals with funding, mentorship, career counseling, and real-world experience.
Program Features
The fellowship includes a 12-week, full-time, paid internship at RNS designed to provide hands-on newsroom experience and support for emerging Muslim journalists. Working in RNS’s remote national newsroom, the Fellow will produce consistent, high-quality reporting on the diverse stories and experiences of Muslim communities in the United States.
Religion News Service (RNS) is an independent, nonprofit and award-winning source of global news on religion, spirituality, culture and ethics, reported by a staff of professional journalists. Founded in 1934, RNS seeks to inform readers with objective reporting and insightful commentary, and is relied upon by secular and faith-based news organizations in a number of countries.
The Fellow will receive wraparound support to build a career in journalism, including mentorship from seasoned editors at RNS, monthly coaching from ISF, matching with a journalist mentor, and enrollment in ISF’s Journalism Bridge Program to facilitate job placement after the Fellowship.
Eligibility
- Be knowledgeable and/or culturally familiar with Muslim communities in the U.S.
- Demonstrate respect for a range of religious experiences and practices
- Be authorized to work in the U.S. (a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient)
- Have recently graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, or be taking a gap semester after completing at least three years of college
- Have completed at least one (1) year of journalism school or have a background in a writing-intensive field of study (e.g., Religious Studies, Sociology, Anthropology)
- Be available to work full-time (40 hours/week) for the duration of the internship
- Show a proven commitment to pursuing a career in journalism
Requirements
- 60-second video introduction
- Resume
- Letter of recommendation
- Work Sample
- 2-3 short essay responses
Program Benefits
- A 12-week paid internship at Religion News Service, compensated at $21.75 per hour
- Monthly one-on-one coaching from ISF Media Programs
- Mentorship from a professional journalist, with monthly check-ins for guidance and career insight
- Enrollment in ISF’s Journalism Bridge Program, which offers monthly coaching and job placement support throughout the Fellowship
- Financial support to attend a national journalism conference, providing networking and professional development opportunities