The program typically awards 18 Scholar Awards each year. Depending on the award, recipients receive either a $3,000 scholarship for independent academic or journalistic work or a $4,000 fellowship that can support time working in the bureau of a leading news organization, including organizations such as the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg.

The program is particularly focused on helping students launch careers in international journalism rather than supporting established mid-career professionals. Applicants can be of any nationality, provided they meet the program’s stated eligibility requirements.

The application deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026.

About the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards

The Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards are designed to support emerging journalists who want to develop careers focused on international journalism.

The program provides students with both financial assistance and opportunities to strengthen their journalism careers. In a typical year, the Foundation grants 18 awards, with recipients receiving either:

• A $3,000 scholarship to support independent work; or
• A $4,000 fellowship that can be used to fund time in the bureau of a leading news organization.

Examples of organizations associated with fellowship placements include the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg.

The program is primarily aimed at students who want to pursue international journalism as a career, making it particularly relevant for aspiring reporters, photojournalists, video journalists, and audio journalists interested in international issues and communities.

Who Is the Overseas Press Club Foundation Looking For?

The program is intended for students who are building their journalism careers and have demonstrated an interest in international journalism.

The Foundation specifically states that applicants should be:

• College juniors;
• College seniors; or
• Graduate students;
• Enrolled in a degree program at the application deadline; and
• Demonstrably interested in international journalism.

Applicants must also be currently enrolled full-time in a university program and satisfy one of the specified eligibility pathways:

1. Be an international student studying at a U.S. college or university; or
2. Be a U.S. citizen studying abroad.

The Foundation notes that its program is aimed at students of whatever nationality who want to pursue international journalism rather than simply return to their countries of origin to work as local reporters.

What Funding Is Available?

The Scholar Awards generally provide two forms of financial support.

$3,000 Scholarship

Some award recipients receive a $3,000 scholarship intended to support independent work and academic or journalistic goals.

This can be particularly relevant for students who are developing independent journalism projects or pursuing academic goals connected to international journalism.

$4,000 Fellowship

Other recipients receive a $4,000 fellowship that can be used to fund time in a bureau of a leading news organization.

The Foundation gives the Associated Press, Reuters, and Bloomberg as examples of major news organizations where such fellowship experiences may take place.

The distinction means applicants should consider how their proposed work and career goals align with the type of support they hope to receive.

What Does the Application Require?

The application consists of three major components:

1. A cover letter
2. A resume
3. A journalism work sample

Applicants should prepare each component carefully because the Foundation provides specific instructions for each part of the submission.

1. Cover Letter

The cover letter should be one page and autobiographical in nature.

Applicants should use the letter to explain their development as a journalist and their reasons for pursuing international journalism.

The Foundation suggests addressing questions such as:

• How did you develop an interest in journalism?
• Why are you interested in a particular part of the world?
• What international communities or issues interest you?
• How would you use the scholarship or fellowship to advance your journalism career?
• Are there any gaps or unusual leaps in your academic or professional progress that should be explained?

The cover letter therefore provides an opportunity to connect the applicant’s personal development, journalistic interests, international focus, and future career plans.

2. Resume

Applicants must submit a one-page resume.

The Foundation recommends emphasizing journalism-related experience and skills rather than providing an unnecessarily broad account of every activity.

The resume should highlight:

• Previous journalism experience
• Language skills
• Media skills
• Visa or passport status relevant to working overseas
• International postings
• Domestic postings
• Published freelance work
• Independent unpublished journalism projects

This information can help demonstrate both the applicant’s journalism background and their ability to work in international settings.

3. Journalism Work Sample

Applicants must select one type of work sample from the following categories:

• Print journalism
• Photojournalism
• Video journalism
• Audio journalism

The requirements differ depending on the format selected.

Print Journalism Work Sample

Applicants choosing print journalism must submit a 600–800 word writing sample.

The sample should focus on:

• An area of the world; or
• An international issue

The topic should be consistent with the applicant’s interests and experience.

Applicants should also explain whether the work:

• Was previously published;
• Was edited or condensed;
• Was created as a school project.

The Foundation provides examples of previous winning topics that have covered diverse international subjects, demonstrating that applicants do not necessarily need to report on conventional foreign-policy topics.

Importantly, applicants do not need to have traveled abroad to apply. The Foundation notes that previous scholars have produced successful work about international communities and issues located within the United States, including reporting on Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in Brooklyn and Ukrainian refugees on Long Island.

Important submission rule for writing samples

Applicants should not send clips or URLs as their writing sample.

Instead, the work should be reformatted into a standalone document. Applicants may include links to their other work on their resume.

Photojournalism Work Sample

Applicants choosing photojournalism should submit either:

• One PDF containing their photographs; or
• A link to a website where judges can view the work online.

The entry can take the form of:

• A feature;
• A personality piece; or
• A news journalism project.

The work may be narrated or may rely entirely on interviews and verité.

Applicants must also provide a writing sample of approximately 500 words explaining the photographs.

The written component should contextualize the images and explain:

• How the photographs were captured; and/or
• Why the photographs are significant.

This means the application evaluates not only the images themselves but also the applicant’s ability to explain the journalistic purpose and context of the work.

Video and Audio Journalism Work Sample

Applicants submitting video or audio work should provide a link where judges can view or listen to the submission.

The work can be:

• A feature;
• A personality piece; or
• A news journalism piece.

It can be narrated or rely primarily on interviews and verité.

Length requirement

The video or audio entry must be:

• At least 2 minutes long; and
• No longer than 7 minutes.

The content should primarily have international interest.

Applicants must also provide an approximately 500-word written explanation contextualizing the work.

The explanation should address:

• How the images or audio were captured;
• Why the work is significant;
• What role the applicant played in producing it; and
• Appropriate credit for all team members who contributed.

Each video or audio submission should demonstrate the full arc of the story, with a beginning, middle, and end.

How to Submit the Application

The Foundation requires applicants to combine all application elements into a single document.

The accepted file formats are:

• .docx
• .pdf

The document should be named using the following format:

Last name_First name

The file must not exceed 10 MB.

Applicants can submit their application through the official submission page:

Submit the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Award Application

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards is:

Sunday, November 15, 2026

Applicants should complete and submit all required materials before the deadline.

What Makes a Strong Application?

The Foundation provides several pieces of guidance about what judges respond well to.

According to the application information, judges respond positively to applications demonstrating:

• Strong original reporting skills
• Color
• A clear sense of perspective
• A clear beginning, middle, and end

Applicants are also advised to carefully proofread their materials. Applications that are exceedingly long may be disqualified, so candidates should follow the specified length requirements rather than adding unnecessary material.

This makes it important for applicants to focus on the quality and clarity of their journalism rather than simply submitting a large quantity of work.

International Business and Economic Journalism

The Foundation has a specific area of interest in international business and economic coverage.

Of the 18 awards, four are reserved for international business or economic coverage. The Foundation therefore encourages applicants interested in these areas to submit work demonstrating a strong understanding of global economic topics.

Relevant topics mentioned by the Foundation include:

• Trade
• Finance
• Emerging markets
• Immigration
• Climate
• Public health

Applicants interested in these areas can therefore consider submitting work that demonstrates their ability to report on global economic and interconnected international issues.

AI Use and Originality Requirements

The Foundation places an explicit requirement on the originality of application materials.

All application material must be the result of the applicant’s own journalism work.

The Foundation also states that any use of AI must be:

• Responsible; and
• Clearly disclosed.

Applicants should therefore make sure that their submitted journalism accurately represents their own reporting and that any AI use is disclosed according to the Foundation’s requirement.

Language Requirement

All application materials must be submitted in English.

If an applicant’s original work was produced in another language, an English translation must be provided.

This requirement applies to the application materials and should be taken into consideration when preparing a work sample originally produced in another language.

Applicants Do Not Need International Travel Experience

One potentially important point for aspiring international journalists is that applicants do not have to have traveled abroad to apply.

The Foundation’s examples demonstrate that international journalism can involve reporting on international communities and global issues within the United States.

Previous scholars have reported on:

• Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in Brooklyn
• Ukrainian refugees on Long Island

This means an applicant can demonstrate an international journalism perspective through reporting conducted domestically, provided the work engages meaningfully with international communities or issues.

Scholar Awards Reception and Professional Development

Award recipients will participate in a Scholar Awards reception in New York City in March 2027.

The event will form part of a two-day series of events involving:

• Relevant training
• Networking
• Professional journalists

Winners are required to participate in the event.

This provides recipients with an opportunity to connect with other journalists and professionals while participating in activities related to their development as international journalists.

Join a Community of International Journalists

The opportunity extends beyond the financial award.

Recipients become part of a longstanding community of:

• International journalists
• Previous Scholar Award recipients
• Journalism professionals

According to the Foundation, this network provides opportunities to:

• Build professional connections
• Exchange ideas
• Stay connected with other journalists throughout their careers

For students beginning careers in international journalism, this community can form part of their longer-term professional network.

Examples From Previous Scholar Award Recipients

The Foundation highlights experiences from previous recipients to demonstrate how the awards have supported journalism careers.

Youcef Bounab

Youcef Bounab attended the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY.

His award included a Harper’s Magazine Scholarship and an OPC Foundation Fellowship with the Associated Press in Paris.

According to his account, the fellowship gave him the opportunity to report from Paris and work on a wide range of stories, including interviews with government officials, the head of the Paris Olympic committee, booksellers, and others. He later became a Maghreb correspondent for Agence France-Presse, based in Tunisia and covering much of North Africa.

Catherine Cartier

Catherine Cartier attended New York University and received the Reuters Scholarship 2024 with an OPC Foundation Fellowship with Reuters in Dubai.

Her fellowship involved reporting on:

• Finance
• Energy
• Breaking news

She also interviewed people from different sectors and reported on developments in the Gulf region. According to her account, the experience influenced her subsequent international reporting.

Brunella Tipismana

Brunella Tipismana attended Yale University and received the Seymour and Audrey Topping Scholarship in 2024.

The Foundation includes her among its previous Scholar Award recipients.

Brett Simpson

Brett Simpson attended the University of California-Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and received the Irene Corbally Kuhn Scholarship in 2021.

According to his account, the scholarship supported reporting in the Norwegian Arctic concerning an Indigenous rights protest related to a state-sanctioned copper mine on Sámi reindeer-herding lands.

The resulting reporting appeared in National Geographic in 2022, and he described the experience as influential in shaping his subsequent reporting career focused on climate, energy, and human rights.

Stephen Kalin

Stephen Kalin attended the American University in Cairo and received the Roy Rowan Scholarship in 2013.

He described using the scholarship to support a summer internship with Reuters, beginning in Lebanon and subsequently working on assignments in Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

His account describes the early support as influential in his subsequent career in foreign reporting.

How to Prepare a Competitive Application

Although the Foundation provides specific requirements rather than a step-by-step preparation strategy, applicants can organize their preparation around the stated criteria.

1. Choose a clear international journalism focus

Identify the international region, community, issue, or subject area that genuinely connects with your journalism interests.

2. Select your strongest work sample

Choose one format:

• Print
• Photo
• Video
• Audio

The selected work should demonstrate your journalism abilities and connect with your international interests.

3. Follow the format requirements exactly

For example:

• Print: 600–800 words
• Photojournalism: photographs plus approximately 500 words of context
• Video/audio: 2–7 minutes plus approximately 500 words of context

4. Make your role clear

For collaborative journalism, explain your specific contribution and properly credit other members of the team.

5. Keep your application focused

The Foundation warns that exceedingly long applications may be disqualified. Follow the requested length requirements and avoid unnecessary material.

6. Proofread carefully

The Foundation specifically advises applicants to carefully proofread their materials.

7. Address AI use appropriately

If AI was used in preparing any application material, follow the Foundation’s requirement that responsible AI use be clearly disclosed.

Important Dates

The Foundation states that winners will be contacted by mid-January and posted on its website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Award?

It is a student-focused journalism award program that provides financial support to students pursuing international journalism, with awards generally taking the form of scholarships or fellowships.

How many awards are normally offered?

In a typical year, the Foundation grants 18 Scholar Awards.

How much funding can recipients receive?

Recipients receive either a $3,000 scholarship or a $4,000 fellowship, depending on the award.

Do I need to have traveled internationally?

No. The Foundation explicitly states that applicants do not need to have traveled abroad to apply.

Can my work focus on an international community in the United States?

Yes. Previous examples cited by the Foundation include reporting on Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in Brooklyn and Ukrainian refugees on Long Island.

Can graduate students apply?

Yes. College juniors, college seniors, and graduate students enrolled in a degree program at the application deadline are identified as eligible applicant categories.

What file formats are accepted?

The complete application must be submitted as one document, using either .docx or .pdf, with a maximum size of 10 MB.

What language must the application be in?

Application materials must be submitted in English. Work originally produced in another language must be accompanied by an English translation.

When is the deadline?

The application deadline is Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Conclusion

The Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Awards 2027 provide an opportunity for university students interested in international journalism to receive financial support while developing their journalism careers.

The program typically offers 18 awards, with recipients receiving either a $3,000 scholarship or a $4,000 fellowship. The fellowship option can support time in the bureau of a major news organization, while the scholarship option can support independent work.

Applicants can come from a variety of national backgrounds, but they must meet the program’s specific enrollment requirements. Eligible pathways include international students studying at U.S. colleges or universities and U.S. citizens studying abroad.

The application requires a one-page cover letter, one-page resume, and a journalism work sample in print, photography, video, or audio. Applicants should pay close attention to the specified requirements for their selected format and ensure that their work demonstrates strong journalism and international relevance.

The deadline is November 15, 2026, making early preparation particularly important for students who need to develop or reformat their journalism samples.

Apply through the official Overseas Press Club Foundation submission page

For more opportunities here