Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for Syrian Media Professionals: Online Journalism Fellowship at the University of Toronto

The Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for a Syrian Media Professional offers a unique opportunity for a Syrian media worker to receive advanced journalism training, professional mentorship and international reporting experience through the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact.

The part-time fellowship is designed to help a Syrian media professional strengthen their journalism skills, develop stories for international audiences and build connections with global newsroom editors. The programme will run from September 8, 2026, to March 16, 2027, and participants can complete the programme entirely online from anywhere in the world.

About the Fellowship

The Globe and Mail Foundation is partnering with the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact to support and train a Syrian media professional who wants to develop their career as a journalist working with Canadian and international media.

The fellowship focuses on helping subject-matter specialists and media professionals learn how to turn their areas of expertise into effective reporting beats.

Although the programme includes a strong health and journalism component, applicants are not limited to health-related specialties. The selected Fellow will have the opportunity to identify a reporting area that they want to develop and produce stories aimed at an international audience.

The programme is particularly intended to provide professional support to a Syrian media professional during Syria’s transition and help them build the skills and experience needed to engage with global journalism platforms.

What the Fellowship Provides

The selected Fellow will receive training, mentorship and practical experience in several areas of journalism.

Key areas include:

• Journalism training for international reporting
• Direct mentorship from programme faculty
• Guidance in finding and developing story ideas
• Support with pitching stories to editors
• Training in investigative journalism
• Training in AI for reporting
• Guidance on developing and maintaining a freelance journalism practice
• Career planning and professional development
• Opportunities to engage with an international journalism audience
• Additional support and mentorship from The Globe and Mail Foundation based on the Fellow’s needs

A major component of the programme is the opportunity for the Fellow to find, pitch and report their own stories. This allows participants to move beyond classroom learning and develop practical experience in producing journalism for a broader international audience.

Programme Format and Dates

The fellowship is a part-time programme running from:

September 8, 2026 – March 16, 2027

Participants do not have to relocate to Canada because the entire programme can be completed online.

In-person attendance is not required, making the opportunity accessible to the selected Fellow regardless of their location.

The programme consists of three main components:

1. Two-Week Journalism Bootcamp

The programme begins with an intensive two-week bootcamp running from:

September 8–18, 2026

The bootcamp provides the foundation for the fellowship and prepares participants for the subsequent training, reporting and mentorship activities.

2. Weekly Cohort Sessions

From September 22, 2026, to March 16, 2027, Fellows will participate in weekly full-cohort teaching and story meetings.

These sessions provide opportunities to learn alongside other participants, discuss story ideas and receive guidance on journalism projects.

3. Monthly Skills Classes

From October 2026 through March 2027, Fellows will participate in skills classes held on one Friday/Saturday pair each month.

These sessions will focus on practical journalism skills that participants can apply to their reporting and professional careers.

A Focus on International Journalism

One of the central objectives of the fellowship is to help the selected Syrian media professional develop the ability to work with global newsroom editors and international audiences.

The programme provides training in how to:

• Identify strong international story ideas
• Develop reporting beats
• Research and investigate stories
• Pitch stories effectively
• Produce journalism for international media
• Work with editors
• Build a professional journalism portfolio
• Develop a sustainable freelance practice

This makes the fellowship particularly valuable for a media professional who wants to expand beyond local or regional reporting and begin contributing to international media.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is specifically designed for a Syrian media professional.

Applicants should:

• Be a media professional from Syria
• Have a good working knowledge of English
• Have an interest in international journalism and reporting
• Be able to participate in the part-time programme from September 2026 to March 2027
• Be prepared to develop and pitch their own story ideas
• Have an interest in developing a reporting beat for Canadian or international media

The source information does not specify a minimum academic qualification, age requirement or particular university degree.

Applicants who have previous reporting experience may submit up to three reporting clips, although this is optional. The clips may be submitted in Arabic.

APPLY HERE 

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit their application by email and provide the required materials in English.

The application should include:

1. CV

Applicants must submit an English-language CV highlighting their professional and media experience.

2. Letter of Intent

Applicants must provide a 500-word Letter of Intent in English.

The letter should describe the reporting beat they wish to cover.

Applicants should therefore clearly explain the area they want to specialise in and why it is relevant to their journalism career.

3. Two Story Pitches

Applicants must submit two story pitches in English.

These pitches should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to identify compelling stories and explain how they could be developed for an international audience.

4. Reporting Clips

Applicants may submit up to three clips of their reporting.

This component is optional, and the clips can be in Arabic.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is:

Monday, August 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time (Toronto).

Applicants should ensure that their complete application reaches the programme before the stated deadline.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted by email to:

Rob Steiner, Fellowship Director
University of Toronto

Email: robert.steiner@utoronto.ca

Applicants should also copy:

The Globe and Mail Foundation
Email: education@globeandmailfoundation.com

The application should contain the CV, Letter of Intent, two story pitches and, if available, up to three reporting clips.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for Syrian Media Professionals

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed by a volunteer jury.

Applicants should therefore ensure that their submissions clearly communicate their journalism experience, proposed reporting interests and ability to contribute to international media.

Particular attention should be given to the quality of the proposed reporting beat and story pitches, as these materials demonstrate the applicant’s ability to identify and develop stories.

Why This Fellowship Matters

The fellowship provides more than journalism training. It is designed to help a Syrian media professional develop the skills, professional relationships and confidence needed to work with international media.

Through mentorship and practical reporting, the selected Fellow can develop experience in:

• International journalism
• Investigative reporting
• Story development
• Story pitching
• AI-assisted reporting
• Freelance journalism
• Professional newsroom engagement
• Career development

The online format also means the selected Fellow can participate without being required to relocate to Canada.

Conclusion

The Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for a Syrian Media Professional is an opportunity for a Syrian media worker to strengthen their journalism career through the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact.

Running from September 8, 2026, to March 16, 2027, the part-time programme combines journalism training, direct mentorship, story development, international reporting and professional career guidance. Participants can complete the fellowship entirely online, making physical relocation unnecessary.

Eligible Syrian media professionals with a strong working knowledge of English are encouraged to prepare their CV, 500-word Letter of Intent and two English-language story pitches before submitting their application.

For more global grants, scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, conferences, competitions, and other career opportunities for young people, visit the Opportunities for Youth (OFY) website at www.opportunitiesforyouth.org.