Excellence in Journalism 2012 Scholarships and Fellowships: Apply by June 11

Terry Harper Memorial Scholarships: Terry Harper passed away in 2009 after a two-year battle with brain cancer. In honor of Terry’s efforts to improve SPJ and the entire journalism community, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation set up a memorial fund following his death. With a generous outpouring of support, the Society can now proudly provide up to five scholarships to SPJ members to attend its annual convention. Applications due June 11, 2012.

Diversity Leadership Fellows Program: As we face the many challenges of an evolving industry, strengthening SPJ’s diversity efforts is more important than ever. The goal of the Diversity Leadership Fellows program, ultimately, is to increase the diversity participation of SPJ members within national committees and on the national board of directors. As part of the program, we bring fellowship recipients to the convention to begin a year-long immersion and education program. Applications due June 11, 2012.

Robert D.G. Lewis First Amendment Award: From the generosity of the Lewis family, the award is given each year to a student SPJ member who has demonstrated outstanding service to the First Amendment through the field of journalism. The award assists a student with his/her attendance to SPJ's annual convention. Applications due June 11, 2012.

Each year, SPJ invests $5,000 to fund local chapter programs. All fully chartered SPJ chapters in good standing with the national organization are eligible. Click here to read about the programs devised by this year's grant recipients, both in the professional as well as collegiate ranks.

Harper Memorial Scholarship, Diversity Leadership Grant recipients announced

Diversity Leadership Fellows Program: Meet the Recipients
The goal of the Diversity Leadership Fellows program, ultimately, is to increase the diversity participation of SPJ members within national committees and on the national board of directors. The following people were selected to receive Diversity Leadership Grants to attend the Excellence in Journalism 2011 Conference in New Orleans.

Harper Memorial Scholarship: Meet the Recipients
This year, SPJ awarded five convention scholarships in memory of Terry Harper, SPJ’s executive director from 2002 to 2009. The following people were selected to receive Harper Memorial Scholarships to attend the Excellence in Journalism 2011 Conference in New Orleans.

Annually, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation awards about $300,000 in grant monies. Most awards go to SPJ and SPJ-related projects to further align with the work of the Society. Other journalism-related projects that help to fulfill the Foundation's mission may receive support if funds are available.

Read about the 2011 grant recipients here.