Apply to be a
James B. Steele Fellow in Investigative Business Journalism
Why business journalism?
From the companies we work for, to the ones we purchase from, business impacts our daily lives. All of us rely on businesses to meet our most basic needs: from food, clothing, and shelter to communicating with our loved ones and searching for information. Businesses have the power to influence government policy on everything from food safety to healthcare to education. And we rely on businesses to pay a fair wage, allowing us to enjoy a healthy and rewarding work life while saving for the future.
Business journalism is critical in keeping corporations accountable, exposing them when they aren’t, and providing consumers with the information they need to make good economic decisions. Ordinary consumers often find themselves at an information disadvantage when dealing with powerful corporations and governments. But armed with the right tools and training, business journalists can help narrow that information gap and level the playing field.
An immersive graduate fellowship
The James B. Steele Fellowship in Investigative Business Journalism was created for the 2024-5 academic year to nurture a new generation of business journalists and provide them with the sophisticated investigative skills and business savvy they need to protect and inform their readers. The Fellowship targets early-career journalists who are looking to jump-start their career as business journalists and is open to applications from the U.S. and abroad.
In one year the fellows:
- Complete a master’s degree offered by Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, either the Master of Arts in Investigative Journalism (MAIJ) or the Master of Mass Communications (MMC)
- Work alongside a small team of expert editors at the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism on investigative projects.
- Undertake a funded internship in business journalism at a major U.S. or international media organization.
What is included in the program?
- Tuition for all three semesters of the Cronkite master’s program
- Biweekly stipend for the academic year
- Placement in a funded summer internship
- Health insurance
Funding for the Fellowship comes from the Reynolds Center for Business Journalism, which was established in 2003 with a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The Center endeavors to be at the forefront of the development of best practices in business journalism, by conducting original research and outreach to industry leaders. Over the years the Reynolds Center has trained more than 30,000 journalists and educators through in-person and online training and amassed a repository of resources for business journalists on its website that has become a go-to resource for journalists and students around the world. The Center also publishes a weekly newsletter and has an active presence on social media.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for the James B. Steele Fellowship, applicants must:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a regionally accredited institution prior to the Fall 2025 semester.
- Apply for and be accepted to either the Cronkite School’s MAIJ or MMC program on the Downtown Phoenix campus to begin in the Fall 2025 semester.
- Commit to working 20 hours per week for the Reynolds Center.
Curriculum Structure (MMC example)
- Fall 2025
- MCO502 Journalism Skills
- MCO530 History, Philosophy and Ethics of Journalism
- MCO504 Cronkite Master’s Seminar
- Reynolds Center Seminar
- Spring 2026
- MCO510 Data Journalism
- MCO525 21st Century Media Organization & Entrepreneurship
- Two Advanced Skills courses
- Elective course in accounting or finance
- Summer 2026 – Business Journalism Internship
How to apply
The early application deadline for the MAIJ/MMC programs is Dec. 1. The application deadline for the Steele Fellowship is Jan. 1.
What to include in the application:
- Which Cronkite program you are interested in
- A personal statement on why you are interested in this fellowship of no more than 500 words (In English)
- Resume
- Three samples of published journalistic work
- One confidential reference letter from an instructor or employer specifically focused on the applicant’s suitability for this fellowship.
For more information or to discuss this opportunity, please email us at reynoldscenter@gmail.com.