The Elevate Scholarship programme, supported by the Google News Initiative, is designed to strengthen the future of the news business by embracing and elevating historically under-represented and disadvantaged groups in early- to mid-level positions at news media companies in all regions of the world.

Through Elevate Scholarships, the International News Media Association (INMA) wants to equip new faces and voices with strong news industry business fundamentals that will propel their individual careers, and big picture, will infuse the industry with the talent it needs to face today’s challenging business landscape.

Removing obstacles for equitable inclusion in news industry training and development can shatter the glass ceiling for professionals from under-represented groups, which hampers innovation and the future of news media. Our industry benefits from engaging a range of perspectives that represent the communities we serve: ethnicities, genders, ages, sexual orientations, religions, disabilities, access to higher education, and more.

Past winners of the Elevate Scholarship represent all regions of the globe: Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, Europe, and the South Pacific. Diversity and inclusion are global issues that manifest uniquely in each location.

Do you qualify?

To be considered for the Elevate Scholarship, you must:

• Be a part of an under-represented and disadvantaged group within your country
• Be actively involved in, or aspire to be an integral part of, the business side of news media subscriptions, data, products, advertising, and the business of newsrooms (this is the focus of INMA training)
• Be employed by a news media company
• Hold a position below senior management at your organization
• Be in the business of news media for less than 15 years
• Be under the age of 45
• Aspire to become a top manager at a news media company
• Fees and deadlines

Criteria for selection

Criteria: INMA will award up to 50 Elevate Scholarships based on the applicant’s needs, aspirations, barriers, and the stories they tell in the application process.

Who should apply: The Elevate Scholarship is for early- to mid-level career professionals at a news media company who have a passion for the business of news media. Individuals who apply will be looking to grow their career and gather fundamental skills needed to create a sustainable business model for the future of journalism and news media. Applicants must demonstrate how they’re currently involved in the business of news media and articulate what business skills they would like to obtain in the areas of subscriptions, product, data, advertising, and the business of newsrooms.

Multiple competitions: INMA conducts multiple awards and scholarship competitions. You may apply for multiple scholarships, though winners of other INMA personal awards or scholarships in 2020-2023 are not eligible for an Elevate Scholarship.-

To apply by yourself or nominate a colleague

Fee: There is no application fee

Deadline to apply: October 6, 2023 (application opens September 2023)