The Stationers’ Foundation is joining more than 20 organisations as a backer of the Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF), helping make a career in journalism more accessible for a wider range of candidates.
The Stationers’ Foundation will provide an initial donation of £9,000 for the fund, which has provided more than 550 bursaries since it was established in 2005 (including more than 200 since 2020), says NCTJ.
Administered by the NCTJ, JDF bursaries give financial support to aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds to help cover the costs of studying for the Diploma in Journalism, either as a standalone qualification or as part of a Master’s degree course.
Will Gore, the NCTJ’s head of partnerships and projects said: “We’re very grateful that The Stationers’ Foundation has agreed to become a supporter of the JDF.
“We know that much remains to be done to make journalism accessible to people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, and the JDF is a tried and trusted means of achieving that, through the NCTJ’s professional training.
“We look forward to working with The Stationers’ Foundation, and our other JDF partners, to nurture yet more journalistic talent in the year ahead.”
The Stationers and Newspaper Makers Livery Company supports young people wanting to enter publishing and journalism with a wide range of funding including editorial apprenticeships.
Doug Wills, chair of the Stationers’ education committee, said: “We are delighted to be able to join with media industry groups in supporting the NCTJ Diversity Fund.
“The NCTJ Fund fulfils a vital role in allowing some brilliant young people to undertake editorial training at the best journalism colleges and provides unique opportunities for them to enter the profession.
“The Stationers’ Foundation is proud to be associated with and provide support for this remarkable success story.”
To gain the support of the JDF, candidates must demonstrate that they will bring diversity to the newsroom, and that they are committed to a career in journalism. They must also have a genuine financial need.
The JDF was initially set up with a £100,000 donation from NLA Media Access in 2005, added NCTJ.
The number of the JDF’s financial supporters has grown over time, and now includes the Aziz Foundation, Bloomberg, BMJ, the BBC, CNN, DMG Media, Dow Jones, the FT, the Football Writers’ Association, Channel 4 News, Business Insider, ITV News, the Journalists’ Charity, Newsquest, News UK, PA Media, the Printing Charity, Reach PLC, Reuters, Sky, ITN, Channel 5 News and Yahoo News UK.
The next deadline for applications to the JDF is Wednesday, 19 June.
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