Modern Journalism Has Problems. We want to fix them.

Objectivity and fairness in the media are on a steady decline, and today, many in the industry seek to promote a set of political beliefs rather than reporting the facts. At the same time, fewer conservative- and libertarian-minded journalists are being provided with early opportunities to build successful careers in the press. This has resulted in a skewed and biased media landscape. It is increasingly common for Americans to distrust the news.

What Do We Do?

The Student Journalism Association (SJA) operates out of The Fund for American Studies’ Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ). TFAS offers prestigious fellowships for early- and mid-career journalists, such as the Joseph Rago Memorial Fellowships for Excellence in Journalism, Robert Novak Journalism Fellowships, Journalism Excellence Fellowship and Media Accelerator Fellowship. SJA focuses on undergraduate and graduate programs, specifically through four main avenues:

1. Publication Membership

TFAS partners with college publications across the country, providing workshops, connections and real-world experience. From legacy brands like The Stanford Review to startups like The Davidson Lux, TFAS assists publications at all stages of development. Membership benefits in the Student Journalism Association include a quarterly grant, campus workshops led by TFAS staff, professional mentorship and invitations to TFAS’s annual Student Journalism Honors Conference. Access more information, including our publications list, here.

2. Individual Membership

Interested in a career in journalism? Individual membership is a way to build on what students are already doing—whether that’s writing for a campus paper, interning or contributing to outlets like The College Fix. Membership gives students opportunities to learn from real journalists, sharpen reporting skills and connect with peers nationwide. This program typically supports students at schools where there is no SJA publication present. Apply here.

3. Campus Transparency Fellowship

The Campus Transparency Fellowship is a full year fellowship supporting student journalists who work to produce investigative pieces on identity-based and viewpoint discrimination, curricular malpractice, unjust campus discipline and administrative overreach. Fellows’ work has appeared in outlets like the Washington Free Beacon, the Carolina Journal, National Review and the New York Post. Read about the inaugural class here.

4. TFAS Summer Program – Journalism Association Fellowship

The Journalism Association Fellowship provides a full scholarship to participate in the Journalism + Communications Program Track of the TFAS Summer Program in Washington, D.C. The fellowship includes courses on freedom-based principles from George Mason University, an internship placement with top media organizations and furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C. Students participate in a variety of exclusive guest lectures and site briefings, as well as professional development and networking events.

This Fellowship also includes an exclusive opportunity for two fellows to intern at National Review. Other previous placements have included The New York Post, The Dispatch and the Washington Free Beacon.

WHAT TFAS PROVIDES

• Grant funding and educational opportunities for independent student publications at select colleges and universities, through Publication Membership.
• Support for collegiate journalists working to produce high-quality investigative journalism at their respective colleges and universities through the Campus Transparency Initiative.
• Training, networking opportunities and mentorship for student journalists through Individual Membership.
• Full scholarships to participate in TFAS’s Summer Journalism Program in the Journalism Association Fellowship.

Publications