Please see the following links for various guidelines:
Michael Kim Broadcast Fellowship
A young sports broadcast journalist or graduate student who has less than three years of professional experience will receive $2,500 to support their career pursuits in honor of Michael Kim, the godfather of AAJA’s Sports Task Force and a pioneer for Asian Americans in sports broadcast journalism. The scholarship is made possible thanks to the Sports Task Force.
Applicants will be selected on the basis of demonstrated journalistic ability, financial need, a strong commitment to the pursuit of a sports journalism career and dedication to AAJA’s mission of advancing Asian Americans and other underrepresented communities in media.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
- Must be an active AAJA member
- Must either be a graduate student enrolled full-time with at least 12 credit units each semester at a junior college or university located in the United States OR must work in the sports media industry in some electronic media form, either as a talent or behind the scenes
- Must be within three years of college graduation and/or in their first television market
- The selected scholarship recipient must commit to a minimum of five hours of volunteer work for the AAJA Sports Task Force, preferably before and/or at the next annual AAJA Convention
Application Requirements:
- Resume
- Journalistic work samples
- Contact information for two references
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- In 1,000 words or less, explain how the financial support of this fellowship would help your short- and long-term career goals, and why you want to continue your sports journalism/media career. The essay should also answer all of the following questions:
- What unexpected challenges have you faced as an aspiring or early-career sports journalist?
- What role or responsibility do journalists of color have in a modern press box? What importance does your ethnic or racial identity serve in the way you cover sports as a professional journalist?
DEADLINE: The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on January 21, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
ABOUT MICHAEL KIM
Michael Kim is a groundbreaking anchor who opened doors for the Asian community at the Worldwide Leader in Sports. Kim was an anchor at SportsCenter for 17 years and was one of the original anchors who launched ESPNews.
Prior to ESPN, Kim won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Show – Daily. Kim is a graduate of the University of Missouri.
Kim has been a proud member of AAJA for years and is a Sports Task Force legend who has supported the group from its inception.
ABOUT THE AAJA SPORTS TASK FORCE
The Asian American Journalists Association’s Sports Task Force is pleased to offer several scholarship and fellowship opportunities for enrolled college students and young professionals to support their pursuit of careers in sports journalism and media. The selected fellowship winners must commit to a minimum of five hours of volunteer work for the AAJA Sports Task Force.
The AAJA Sports Task Force elevates the voices of Asian Americans in sports and encourages future Asian American sports journalists through mentorship and scholarship opportunities.
To join AAJA’s Sports Task Force or to find out more about the group, please check the “Sports Task Force” box when becoming an AAJA member at aaja.org/join.
Al Young Sports Journalism Scholarship
This scholarship awards $2,500 to an undergraduate student of Asian American Pacific Islander descent pursuing sports journalism as a career. Applicants will be judged on academic and journalistic achievement, financial need, a strong commitment to a sports journalism career and dedication to AAJA’s mission.
This year’s scholarship will mark the 11th annual Sports Task Force / Al Young Sports Journalism Scholarship.
Eligibility and Rules
- Must be an active AAJA member
- Must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time with at least 12 credit units each semester at a junior college or university located in the United States
- Must be of Asian American and/or Pacific Islander descent
- Must be currently taking or planning to take journalism courses and/or pursuing sports journalism as a career
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Must use the scholarship funds to directly support or advance their education. Potential expenses include: tuition, room and board, textbooks or other course equipment or materials. The recipient must follow up with the Sports Task Force within 60 days of receipt of the scholarship to identify how they spent the fund
- Must commit to a minimum of five hours of volunteer work for the AAJA Sports Task Force, preferably before and at the next annual AAJA Convention
Application Requirements
- Resume
- School Transcript
- Journalistic work samples
- Contact information for two references
- In 1,000 words or less, explain why you want this scholarship, why you want to pursue sports journalism/media and how the financial support of this scholarship would help your long-term career goals. The essay should also address the following questions:
- What role or responsibility — if at all — do journalists of color have in today’s press box?
- What makes you stand out from the vast number of other students pursuing sports journalism as a career?
- What are your strengths and what areas do you still need to improve upon as a journalist?
DEADLINE: The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on January 21, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
ABOUT AL YOUNG
Al Young is an award-winning journalist who blazed many trails for Asian American sports journalists. Young was the nation’s first Asian American sportswriter at a metro daily newspaper and the first to cover the NFL. He also wrote the first weekly Women’s Sports column in the country, focusing on its athletes, personalities, issues and trends.
Young’s four-decade long career includes positions as a writer and editor at the Boston Globe, USA Today, the New York Daily News, the New Haven (CT) Register and Bridgeport (CT) Post-Telegram.
In 2010, AAJA named Young an “Asian American Pioneer in U.S. journalism.” He is a past president of AAJA’s Washington, D.C. chapter. Following his retirement from the Boston Globe and newspapers at the end of 2012, he was Advisor to “The QC Voice,” the student newspaper at Quincy (MA) College and taught Journalism at Emerson College in Boston. He remains a freelance writer and a media consultant.
ABOUT THE AAJA SPORTS TASK FORCE
The Asian American Journalists Association’s Sports Task Force is pleased to offer several scholarship and fellowship opportunities for enrolled college students and young professionals to support their pursuit of careers in sports journalism and media. The selected fellowship winners must commit to a minimum of five hours of volunteer work for the AAJA Sports Task Force.
The AAJA Sports Task Force elevates the voices of Asian Americans in sports and encourages future Asian American sports journalists through mentorship and scholarship opportunities.
To join AAJA’s Sports Task Force or to find out more about the group, please check the “Sports Task Force” box when becoming an AAJA member at aaja.org/join.
This internship grant awards $1,500 each to up to two college juniors, seniors or graduate students who have secured an internship at a news outlet. Students from the Pacific Northwest or who attend a Northwest college or university are especially encouraged to apply, though a Northwest connection alone does not determine who receives a grant. Applicants who will be interning at small to medium sized outlets will receive priority.
Eligibility and Rules
- Currently enrolled full-time at an accredited community college, junior college, college or university
- Must have secured a summer internship before applying for the internship grant. The stipend must be used for living expenses and/or transportation during your internship and may not be used for any college expenses. Grantees will be required to sign an agreement acknowledging this.
- Must have a serious interest in pursuing journalism as a career
- Must be an active AAJA member
Application Requirements
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A letter verifying your summer internship
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- In 500 words or less, state what kind of experience do you expect as an intern, describe your career goals and why AAJA's mission is important to you.
DEADLINE:
The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on April 30, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
This internship grant awards $1,000 to a student broadcaster who has secured an internship at a news outlet, or journalists interested in or working in local TV news.
Eligibility:
- Must be a full-time college student or have graduated within the last year
- Must secure a summer internship, verified by March 31, 2026
- The stipend must be used for living expenses and/or transportation during your internship
- Must be an active AAJA member
Application Requirements:
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A letter verifying your summer internship before March 31, 2026
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- In 500 words or less, state why you want to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, what you hope to gain from your internship experience, and why AAJA’s mission is important to you.
Deadline: The application deadline is 11:59 PT on January 21. 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
Dinah Eng Leadership Fellowship Grant
This grant awards funds to current AAJA members in pursuit of professional development. Applicants must be currently enrolled or accepted into a professional development program.
Candidates must commit to submitting a post for the AAJA website at the end of their training experience that highlights how the fellowship advanced them along their career path.
Eligibility
- Must have an active AAJA membership
- Must demonstrate leadership potential, or currently hold a management position
- Must have a serious interest in continuing pursuing journalism as a career
Application Requirements
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A letter verifying your acceptance into a professional development program
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- In 500 words or less, state your career goals and why AAJA's mission is important to you.
DEADLINE: The application is open throughout the year, and awarded to multiple recipients up to twice a year. To be considered for funds towards AAJA ELP 2026, apply by January 6, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
This $1,500 scholarship honors a student member who demonstrates interest, ability, and growth in community-centered journalism, elevating community-rooted stories that inform and empower. Alongside the award, the recipient will complete a 4 - 6 week hybrid internship with the Vincent Chin Institute (VCI), creating projects that elevates the Vincent Chin story and highlights its present-day significance through social media storytelling.
Eligibility and Rules
- Must be an active AAJA member
- Must be a current college student enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university
- Preference for juniors or seniors, given the independent nature of the project
- Preference for those with experience and interest in social media storytelling
Application Requirements
- Resume
- Transcript
- Letter of recommendation
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- Describe a current event around the AAPI community that could draw parallels of the incident and legacy of Vincent Chin. If written, keep under 500 words. If video, audio or social media content, keep under 90 seconds.
- Examples of relevant social media content, if any
- Work Sample or Published Work demonstrating community-centered journalism
- Any medium accepted: written, video, audio, graphics, social media content etc.
- Community-centered journalism will be judged on the reporting about groups of people connected by ethnicity, location, or belief; and, covers their experiences in relation to systemic challenges and supportive efforts to affect that.
DEADLINE: The application deadline is January 21, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT
Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
AAJA and ABC News launched the ABC News/Alexa Valiente Summer Internship in 2021. This internship is named in memory of Alexa Valiente who was a proud member of AAJA and passed away in 2019 at the age of 27. Alexa started her ABC News career as an intern for the digital team and rose to being a producer. Alexa was well known for her passion for journalism, curiosity and great storytelling.
Each intern who will come through AAJA to this internship will embody these same characteristics and have just as much of a lasting impact on the important work we do each day as Alexa. Ideal candidates can manage multiple projects simultaneously, have a passion for news stories, thrive in a fast-paced environment, have strong communication skills and are self-motivated and have a positive attitude.
About the Internship
As an intern at ABC News, the recipient will perform a variety of editorial and production duties that are invaluable to one of the network’s many shows and digital platforms including Good Morning America, World News Tonight with David Muir, 20/20, Nightline, abcnews.com, ABC News Live and The View.
They will play an integral role behind the scenes to manage the enormous flow of information that comes in every day. Daily duties include:
- Assisting staff with all aspects of production
- Booking, story development & research
- Preparing and assisting with shoots and supporting video editing
- Covering breaking news, logging & transcribing
- Coordinating administrative duties within the office
This internship will be
- Paid for 12 weeks, 40 hours per week at a rate that will be discussed at the time of the offer
- Held from June through August, 2026
- Based in our New York City
- Include a stipend to go toward housing, based on your location
- Feature speaker events with ABC News leaders and networking opportunities with recruiters for full-time positions
Eligibility and Rules
- A junior or senior currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and taking at least one class, or a recent graduate in the last six months from an accredited college or university
- Active AAJA member
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Previous internship experience, either print or broadcast
- Some experience in social media
- Must be eligible to work in the US
Application Requirements
- Resume
- A 150-200 word statement of why the candidate wants to pursue a career in broadcast journalism and what they hope to gain from an internship at ABC News
- Letter of recommendation
- Recent transcript
- Work samples
To learn more about this scholarship and AAJA, visit our website.
DEADLINE: The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on January 21, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
William Woo Print/Digital News Internship Grant
This grant awards $2,000 to AAPIs pursuing journalism careers in print or digital news students who have secured a summer internship at a news outlet. The grant is to defray living costs during the internship.
Eligibility
- Must be an undergraduate student enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours) at an accredited college or university (including junior and community) in the United States or one of its territories.
- Must have a serious interest in pursuing print or digital journalism as a career
- A letter verifying your summer internship at a print or digital news outlet before March 31, 2026
- This stipend must be used toward living and transportation expenses during the internship. The selected candidate will sign a memorandum of understanding acknowledging this.
- Must be an active AAJA member
Application Requirements
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- A letter verifying your summer internship, or when available before March 31, 2026
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- In 500 words or less, state why you want to pursue a career in print or digital journalism, what you hope to gain from your internship experience, and why AAJA's mission is important to you
DEADLINE: The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on January 21, 2026. Internship verification will be accepted until March 30, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.
AAJA’s Premier Student Fellowship for Emerging Journalists
VOICES is a highly selective fellowship designed to accelerate the growth of aspiring journalists through hands-on training, mentorship, and community. Fellows gain the professional skills, editorial insight, and confidence needed to thrive in today’s fast-changing media landscape.
The program’s mission is to help a diverse group of student journalists understand how audiences engage with their work, how communities perceive journalism, and how their reporting can make meaningful impact. By pairing fellows with professional editors and mentors, VOICES offers a rigorous, real-world experience that challenges participants to grow as storytellers, collaborators, and leaders.
Eligibility
VOICES is open to college students interested in pursuing journalism. We’re looking for students who are committed to developing their craft, learning from industry professionals, and pushing their skills to the next level. Reporters, editors, social media strategists, designers, data journalists, podcasters, broadcasters, and multimedia storytellers are all encouraged to apply.
Program Overview
The fellowship includes training sessions, guided project work, and personalized mentorship that culminate in presentations at the AAJA National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota (June 24–28, 2026). Fellows will:
- Participate in advanced journalism workshops and skill-building sessions led by industry leaders.
- Receive hands-on guidance from experienced editors and mentors.
- Collaborate with peers across disciplines to produce impactful, audience-focused work.
- Present their work and represent VOICES at the AAJA National Convention.
- Build lasting professional networks with recruiters and journalists from major media outlets.
Program Outcomes
VOICES alumni have gone on to internships and careers at The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Frontline, and other top media organizations. Many are now Pulitzer Prize winners, documentary filmmakers, broadcast anchors, and newsroom leaders.
More than a fellowship, VOICES is a professional community that stays with you for life — a network of journalists united by purpose, curiosity, and the pursuit of excellence.
- Explore past VOICES projects at voices.aaja.org
- Application Deadline: December 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT
Frequently Asked Questions
Please check here for information on eligibility, the program and other general questions.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: December 19, 2025, 11:59 p.m. PT
The Executive Leadership Program (ELP) is for journalists and media professionals who are interested in advancing their careers and developing the skills necessary to achieve their professional and personal goals. ELP offers a challenging, practical, and life-changing experience.
This is not a typical program about how to become a better manager; it is a transformational journey designed to develop emerging journalism leaders capable of navigating unpredictable challenges and building a sustainable future for the industry.
The program explores the responsibilities and challenges within a media workplace, how to lead in a changing landscape, and how cultural values influence leadership. Experienced career coaches and senior news executives guide participants as they delve into a variety of topics in a small, supportive environment.
The trainings are highly-interactive and participants will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of subjects and questions such as:
- How do leadership styles across various cultures affect our work?
- How can we deconstruct corporate culture to find paths to success and overcome barriers?
- In what ways do my background and passion impact my work?
- How does digital media impact the industry and what is my role in it?
- How can I meaningfully contribute to the industry and my community?
- What lessons can be learned from established and emerging media markets?
Participants will also explore perspectives on and gain concrete approaches to:
- Diversity and culture in the workplace
- Leadership skills, styles, and opportunities
- Power, politics, and influence
- Professional and career goal setting
- Personal branding and confidence
- Negotiation tactics
QUALIFICATIONS
Individuals with four to seven years of experience are encouraged to apply. Space is limited and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. Acceptance into the program may be contingent upon an interview.
LOGISTICS
The 2026 ELP sessions will be held both in person and virtually. Participants are required to attend all live and virtual sessions. They are also responsible for having all the technology needed to attend the virtual trainings, including a computer, webcam, and a strong internet connection.
2026 Sessions (all times are for the Eastern Time Zone)
In-person Opening Session: Wednesday through Saturday, April 22-25, in Washington, D.C.
Virtual Sessions: Bi-weekly two-hour sessions from May through June.
In-person Closing Session: Wednesday, June 24, during AAJA's National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
TUITION AND PAYMENT
Tuition for ELP is $1,750 for AAJA members and $2,250 for non-members. It includes the costs of training materials, meals during in-person sessions, and basic registration for the 2026 AAJA National Convention.
Applicants accepted to ELP must pay for the program by April 15. For those who need it, there will be an option to pay the tuition in two payments. Applicants who cancel their registration after April 15 will not receive a refund.
Those in need of financial assistance may reach out to their employers or local AAJA chapter leadership (AAJA members only). All applicants to ELP 2026 will automatically be screened for eligibility to the following opportunities.
- AAJA’s Simon and June Li Leadership Transformation Fund provides financial assistance to AAPI leaders, helping offset the cost of programs like ELP.
- Tony Hirashiki Scholarship supports a promising leader participating in ELP by covering tuition and providing a small stipend.
- The AAJA Original Founders Executive Leadership Program Fellowship sponsored by Dickson Louie, which honors the six original AAJA founders — Bill Sing, Tritia Toyota, Frank Kwan, Nancy Yoshihara, David Kishiyama, and Dwight Chuman — for their innovation, grit, and entrepreneurial skills that they displayed in making AAJA a reality and in challenging the status quo. The fellowship helps support members who have been active in an AAJA leadership role at the national or local level to attend ELP.
All applications to ELP are automatically considered for fellowship opportunities. There is no separate application process required for applying to the Simon and June Li fellowship or the Founders Fellowship. Also, selected fellows from the following AAJA chapters: DC, NY, Seattle and LA; may be eligible to receive assistance for up to half of the total tuition of the program.
In addition to the opportunities above, ELP applicants may also be eligible for support through the Dinah Eng Leadership Fellowship, a separate program that provides funding for up to $1,000 for professional development and leadership training. Applicants who meet the fellowship’s criteria are encouraged to apply directly, as it can be used to help cover the cost of ELP. Details on eligibility and the application process will be shared with all admitted participants.
HOW TO APPLY
You must be a professional working actively in the journalism and media industry to apply for the program.
Fill out the application below for the U.S. ELP Cohort.
Applications are due by Tuesday, January 6 at 11:59 PM PT. Please note that space is very limited.
Attach the following documents to the form:
• A résumé or link to your LinkedIn profile
• A professional, high-resolution color photo
• A letter of recommendation from a supervisor (OPTIONAL)
• A short 100-word biography
Contact AAJA HQ at https://www.aaja.org/about/contact/ with any questions.
AAJA and the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) are proud to offer this joint scholarship to foster the next generation of journalists. Candidates will be judged on the basis of academic achievement, demonstrated academic ability, commitment to the field of journalism, and an awareness of AAPI issues.
Deadline: January 21, 2026, 11:59 PT.
BENEFITS
- $6,500 scholarship to be used for tuition, room and board, books, and other educational expenses
- Invitation to a luncheon with the members of the WHCA
- Matched with a volunteer mentor from among the White House press corps for a year, starting at the time of the luncheon.
- Invitation as a guest to attend the WHCA annual dinner. Travel and other costs beyond the dinner ticket are the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
Eligibility and Rules
- Must be an active AAJA member
- Must be a current college student enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university.
Application Requirements
- Resume
- School transcript
- Proof of identification
- One letter of recommendation
- Work samples
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- Answers to the following prompts:
- Describe any involvement or interest you have in the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. If you were awarded an AAJA scholarship, propose how you would contribute to the field of journalism and media issues involving the AAPI community.
- What do you hope to gain from a mentorship with a White House press corps member?
- If you could ask any question at a White House Press briefing, what would you ask and why?
This scholarship awards $5,000 to an AAPI graduate student pursuing journalism as a career. The selected student will also receive a travel and lodging stipend of $1,000 and complimentary registration to attend AAJA’s annual convention and a mentor for the convention
Candidates will be judged on academic and journalistic achievement, commitment to the field of journalism and sensitivity to AAPI issues. Applicants must produce a piece of concise and comprehensive journalism that provides unique context on a current geopolitical issue.
Eligibility
- Must have an active AAJA membership
- Must be a graduate student currently enrolled full time at a college or university
Application Requirements
- Resume
- College / University transcript
- A brief statement describing any financial need
- One letter of recommendation
- Work samples
- Answer the following questions: In 500 words or less, describe any involvement or interest you have in the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. If you were awarded an AAJA scholarship, how would you contribute to the field of journalism and media issues involving the AAPI community?
- An original piece of journalism that addresses one of the below topics:
- AI and its effects on the media landscape
- Disinformation and its influence on readerships
- Ethnic Media as a rising medium for AAPI communities
DEADLINE: The application deadline is 11:59PM PT on January 21, 2026. Questions? Email support@aaja.org.