The National Public Radio (NPR) Kroc Fellowship identifies and develops a new generation of extraordinary public radio journalists.  The Fellowship is designed to offer exposure to various units at NPR, in both the News and Digital Media Divisions, and at an NPR Member Station. NPR Kroc Fellows work alongside some of the nation's most respected reporters, producers and editors and receive regular instruction in writing for radio and on-air performance.

The Fellowship begins in August and lasts one year. Fellows receive a stipend of more than $40,000 and benefits, including paid vacation. NPR will provide Kroc Fellows with professional guidance and assist in job placement.

Over the course of a year, the  Kroc Fellows get rigorous, hands-on training in every aspect of public radio journalism, both on-air and online, including writing, reporting, producing and editing. Throughout the experience Kroc Fellows can expect to develop:

• Production and editorial skills, by working on an NPR program. Past fellows have worked at All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition Saturday
• Reporting and on-air experience, by working under the guidance of NPR editors
• Web writing and multi-media production skills, by working with NPR Digital Media producers and editors
• First-hand broadcast journalism experiences by working at NPR Member Stations

While the ideal Kroc Fellow aspires to work in public radio, previous journalism or radio experience is not required.  They are looking for a diverse group of people with exceptional aptitude and a record of achievement, who show potential for becoming outstanding radio or online journalists.

• Candidates should be close to completing a undergraduate or graduate degree, or have earned a degree no more than one year prior to December 31.
• Kroc Fellows must be able to demonstrate exceptional potential and drive.

• senior
• graduate

Submit your application here. Applications are accepted only between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 each year. After the hiring team reviews applications, 10 finalists are selected for a round of in-person interviews at NPR in late spring. Selections are made shortly thereafter.

(See the frequently asked questions page for more detail about the fellowship selection timeline.)

Each completed application must include:

• Cover letter explaining why you should be selected, addressed to the Kroc Fellowship Committee
• Resume
• Sample work reflecting remarkable initiative or accomplishment. This might be in the form of a writing sample (1,000 words or less), a link to an excerpt (five minutes or so) from an audio story, video production, musical composition, etc., or some other piece of creative work.
• Academic transcript(s) — unofficial transcripts will be accepted
• Two reference letters from people who can speak to your work ethic and commitment to curiosity, including names and contact information. The letters should be addressed to the Kroc Fellowship Committee and must be emailed to kroc@npr.org as a Microsoft Word or PDF file with APPLICANT LAST NAME, FIRST NAME – KROC FELLOW APPLICANT in the subject line. The deadline is Dec. 31.

The Kroc Fellowships have been made possible by a bequest to NPR from Joan Kroc, widow of McDonald's Corporation founder Ray A. Kroc. In 2003, Mrs. Kroc left NPR more than $200 million, which — among other things — is being used to deepen and strengthen the NPR News and Digital Media Divisions.

Joan Kroc, who was nationally recognized for her philanthropy, died of cancer Oct. 12, 2003 at age 75. She was the widow of Ray A. Kroc, the founder of McDonald's Corp. In recent years, Mrs. Kroc had made many substantial gifts to organizations promoting world peace, including peace centers at the University of Notre Dame and the University of San Diego.

Kroc Fellowships
NPR
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