Since 2009, ISF has been providing scholarships, internships, fellowships, and film grants to students majoring in law, policy, film, and media with the goal of empowering American Muslims who are shaping public policy and influencing public opinion.

 The goal of the fellowship is for participants to work in congressional offices and to become well-versed in the creation and implementation of policy. In addition, fellows will learn how to shape policies in a way that is inclusive and doesn't undermine the needs of any marginalized group.

 The ideal candidate will demonstrate potential in impacting public policy and working for the government,  alignment with the ISF mission and vision, excellent communication, and leadership.


MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY FOR THE MUSLIM CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP:
 

• Must be a member of the Muslim community
• Graduated from an accredited university;
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. green card holder, or DACA recipient;
• Minimum of one year of professional experience in the field of policy. Three years experience preferred.
• Applicants should have a proven commitment to policy-making and public service.

This program offers a competitive salary of $40,000 for the 9-month fellowship. For more information, visit our website.

The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) is proud to launch a new Media Program initiative in partnership with the Diversity Pledge Institute (DPI) to advance journalism career opportunities for ISF’s alumni community. This professional development program is designed to support 10 ISF Media alumni for up to one year who are navigating career transitions and seeking support to grow and thrive in journalism.
 

Program Features

Personalized Monthly Coaching

Tailored one-on-one career guidance from industry professionals to help participants meet their specific goals.

Talent Directory Inclusion

All participants will be featured in a curated directory shared with hiring managers and recruiters seeking diverse candidates.

Convention Support

Participants who apply by the priority deadline of June 13, 2025 and are accepted into the program will be eligible to apply for support to attend the 2025 Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) convention with ISF.

Eligibility  

• Previous recipient of ISF Media scholarships
• A U.S. citizen, or authorized to work in the United States.
• Journalists who are recent graduates, early career, or mid-career.
• Individuals who are currently unemployed and actively seeking employment as a journalist; exploring opportunities in newsrooms that are values-aligned; or freelancer or independent journalists seeking a full-time position in a newsroom.
• We especially encourage applicants from under-resourced and under-represented backgrounds in journalism to apply
   

Requirements

1. Personal Information
2. Resume
3. Story Clips
4. Questionnaire
    

Program Benefits 

• Strategic, values-based career coaching from people who understand the industry and your experiences
• Increased visibility with hiring editors, recruiters, and media leaders
• Opportunities to build a more sustainable, values-aligned journalism career

  Please email firdaus@islamicscholarshipfund.org for any questions or concerns.

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. 

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. 

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  

1. Be knowledgeable and/or culturally familiar with Muslim communities in the U.S.
2. Demonstrate respect for a range of religious experiences and practices
3. Be authorized to work in the U.S. (a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient)
4. Have recently graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, or be taking a gap semester after completing at least three years of college
5. 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)
6. Be available to work full-time (40 hours/week) for the duration of the internship
7. Show a proven commitment to pursuing a career in journalism

Requirements

1. 60-Second Video Introduction
2. Resume
3. Work Sample
4. Letter of Recommendation
5. 2 short essay responses

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

     Please email firdaus@islamicscholarshipfund.org for any questions or concerns.