Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship Offers Online Journalism Fellowship for Syrian Media Professionals

The Globe and Mail Foundation, in partnership with the University of Toronto, is offering a unique opportunity for Syrian media professionals. This online journalism fellowship aims to support and train Syrian journalists, providing them with the skills and mentorship needed to contribute to global media during Syria’s transition. The program focuses on developing reporting beats for international newsrooms and offers specialized training in various journalism skills.

Fellowship Overview and Structure

The Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for a Syrian Media Professional is an Online Journalism Fellowship at the University of Toronto. It is designed to mentor and train a Syrian media worker as a journalist for global media. The fellowship is part of the University of Toronto’s Dalla Lana Fellowship in Journalism and Health Impact program. This program helps subject matter specialists from around the world learn how to cover their areas of expertise as reporting beats for Canadian and other international media.

The fellowship provides direct mentorship from program faculty. Fellows will learn to find, pitch, and report their own stories, while also planning their future careers. Specialized training will cover a range of journalism skills, including the use of AI in reporting, investigative journalism techniques, and strategies for building and maintaining a freelance career. The program is structured to be accessible online, allowing participants to engage from anywhere in the world.

The online program includes a two-week intensive “bootcamp” from September 8 to September 18, 2026. Following the bootcamp, there will be weekly full-cohort teaching and story meetings held from September 22, 2026, to March 16, 2027. Additionally, skills classes will take place on one Friday and Saturday pair each month, running from October 2026 through March 2027.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. The fellowship is open to individuals who can join either online from any location globally or in person at the University of Toronto. However, in-person attendance is not a requirement for participation.

A key requirement for this fellowship is a good working knowledge of English. This is because the program is specifically focused on international reporting, and proficiency in English is necessary for effective communication and engagement with global newsroom editors and an international audience. While reporting clips can be submitted in Arabic, all other application materials must be in English.

Application Process

The application for the Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for a Syrian Media Professional requires several components. Prospective fellows must submit their Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English. They also need to provide a Letter of Intent, which should be no more than 500 words and written in English, detailing the specific beat they wish to cover during the fellowship.

In addition to the CV and Letter of Intent, applicants must submit two story pitches, also in English. While optional, candidates are encouraged to include up to three clips of their previous reporting work. These clips can be in Arabic if that is the primary language of the work. All application materials should be sent to Rob Steiner, the Fellowship Director, at [email protected], with a copy sent to [email protected]. The deadline for applications is Monday, August 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Conclusion

The Globe and Mail Foundation Scholarship for a Syrian Media Professional presents a valuable opportunity for Syrian journalists to develop their skills and gain international exposure. By offering online training, mentorship, and specialized workshops, the fellowship aims to empower Syrian media workers to contribute effectively to global news narratives. The program’s flexible online format and focus on practical reporting skills make it an accessible and impactful initiative for journalists looking to advance their careers in the international media landscape.