2025 ISF RNS Islam Reporting Fellowship

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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.

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