The APSE Foundation is accepting applications for Class XV of its Fellowship program in leadership.
The deadline to apply is Oct. 2.
The Fellowship is an in-depth, eight-month course of study for working professionals interested in pursuing a path as a leader (typically an editor, assistant editor or reporter) in sports journalism. This training program, which prepares Fellows to be candidates for such positions, is underwritten by the APSE Foundation, the Associated Press Sports Editors and their partners. There is no cost to the Fellows.
The program begins in December and concludes with APSE’s annual summer conference, which is scheduled for June 10-12, 2027, in Denver, Colorado. Journalists with at least three years of professional experience (exceptions may be considered) are eligible to apply.
Applicants should have the support of their employer, as attendance at several events is required. Travel expenses are paid by the program.
APSE realizes the Fellows are working professionals whose first responsibility is to their news organizations. APSE will work with supervising editors to ensure Fellows meet all work responsibilities and can customize the Fellowship experience to focus on skills most important to the employer. The goal for APSE is that employers value Fellowship program graduates and consider this training invaluable to their newsrooms and, more broadly, their companies.
To apply, fill out this form as soon as possible and confirm receipt with APSE Foundation board members Jorge Rojas of The Athletic (jrojas@theathletic.com) and executive director Lisa Wilson of The Athletic (lwilson@theathletic.com). Upload a resume and essay of no more than 1,200 words which describes what is unique about your story/experience in sports journalism, and what you are hoping to get out of the Fellowship if selected.
The APSE Foundation Fellowship program course of study consists of several components:
Fellowship Weekend. At program expense, each Fellow attends a three-day, long-weekend, academic experience in December in Nashville. Fellows will be assigned roommates at this and other events. The curriculum might include seminars in digital sports journalism, managing and motivating staff, women and leadership, and more.
Sports coverage and sportswriting. Each Fellow participates in team judging for APSE’s annual digital, writing and print portfolio contest. This is a four-day commitment at the winter conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 28-March 4, 2027. Under the guidance of experienced editors from across the country, each Fellow will typically judge at least three types of sports journalism, such as print portfolio, or investigative, project, news, or enterprise reporting. All travel expenses are covered by the program.
Sports Journalism Institute. Each Fellow, under the direction of leaders of the Sports Journalism Institute, the nation’s premier diversity sports program, may be asked to work as an offsite assignment editor with the Institute’s incoming class.
APSE’s summer conference. This capstone experience has each Fellow attending the sessions and workshops of the annual APSE Summer Conference. At the conclusion of the conference, the Fellows graduate and receive their certificates of completion.
Fellows may be asked to complete other assignments, such as writing a story for the APSE Foundation website or the APSE newsletter.