Scripps Howard Fund Nonprofit Newsrooms Fall Internship Program

To combat news deserts across the country and provide important journalistic experience for college students and recent graduates, the Scripps Howard Fund is providing interns to nonprofit newsrooms. The Fund has partnered with the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), and their Rural News Network, to select five newsrooms to host these fall internships. 

The Athens County Independent, The Current GA, Mississippi Free Press, Mountain State Spotlight and VTDigger will each provide different learning opportunities. You can reach each outlet's job description in the application below.  

The internships are expected to be full-time (at least 35 hours per week) for 10 weeks and must occur between August 1 and December 31, 2025. Each internship pays a minimum of $15 per hour.  

These internships are open to college students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as students graduating college in the 2024-25 school year. 

The application deadline is Friday, April 18 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

There will be a Zoom Q & A to learn more about the process and talk to hiring managers from the newsrooms involved in this program on Wednesday, April 2, 6 - 7pm (ET). You can register here https://ewscripps.zoom.us/meeting/register/0mKre-ThRv-f9Z2PbQNWaw

When is the deadline? The application deadline is 11:59 p.m., ET, Friday, April 18.

How long are these internships? Each internship will be for 10 weeks.

Are these paid internships? Yes. Each internship pays a minimum of $15 per hour.

Do I get a stipend upfront? You will be paid by the host newsroom on its payroll schedule.

Who is eligible to apply? These internships are open to college students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as students graduating college in the 2024-25 school year.

Do I have to complete the application in one sitting? No, there is an opportunity to save your draft within Submittable and return to it, in progress.

What do I do if I have technical assistance with the application process? Please contact Submittable for any technical difficulties. If you need further assistance, contact Jill Ruther, program operations specialist for the Scripps Howard Fund at jill.ruther@scripps.com

Can I apply to more than one newsroom? Yes, there is an opportunity on the application to submit to more than one newsroom. When will candidates be notified about their application status? We are asking newsrooms to have their candidates hired by late May 2025.

What happens after I submit my application and materials? Scripps Howard Fund’s Journalism Program Manager, Allison Hunter (allison.hunter@scripps.com), and Mike Canan, senior director of journalism strategies review applications. The Fund team then forwards qualified candidates on to the host newsrooms who interview and select the interns.

What does it mean if my status changes in Submittable? Please disregard any shifts of your application’s status from “In-progress” or to “Completed.”

What happens after the first review of applications? Hiring managers from each newsroom that you applied to will receive applications. Over the next several weeks, each newsroom's hiring manager will contact the candidates they want to interview, etc.

What if I receive an offer before I hear back from this internship? Managers know you are applying to other internships/jobs and cannot afford to wait to secure your next move. We are confident that you will make the best decision for your future.

What should I expect if I am hired by a newsroom? Once you are hired by a host newsroom you will be asked to complete the required paperwork. You will be eligible to apply for additional financial help from a support fund to help alleviate any obstacles, (travel expenses, rent, work clothes), that might interfere with you accepting or completing the internship. You will also be expected to participate in professional development sessions provided by the Scripps Howard Fund. These virtual sessions will introduce you to other interns and journalists across the country.

What if I have questions that were not addressed here? There will be a Zoom Q & A to learn more about the process and talk to hiring managers from the newsrooms involved in this program on Wednesday, April 2, 6 – 7 p.m. (ET). You can register here https://ewscripps.zoom.us/meeting/register/0mKre-ThRv-f9Z2PbQNWaw