The Jonathan Tjarks Graduate Fellowship is designed to hone the storytelling skills of a promising journalist who has graduated from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) by earning a Master of Arts degree.
Created by the Simmons Family Scholarship, the fellowship honors the memory of Jonathan Tjarks, The Ringer sportswriter and UT alum who died of cancer in September 2022. Jonathan had written for The Ringer, an online hub for sportswriting and podcasting, since 2016.
The fellowship is intended for a graduate student pursuing an education in longform storytelling, whether in print or digital mediums.
- Applicants must meet graduate admission requirements for the School of Journalism and Media and UT-Austin.
- Preference shall be given for students who have graduated from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Successful applicants must demonstrate an interest in storytelling in print or audio in any journalistic beat.
$50,000 to cover tuition, housing, and incidentals for a graduate student pursuing an education in longform storytelling.
- Apply to the Professional Track Master's Program in the School of Journalism and Media in the Moody College of Communication.
- In your Statement of Purpose, explain how the fellowship and M.A. degree will help you achieve your goals in storytelling.