Awards
Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing
The deadline for entries has passed
(If you're looking for the Pulliam First Amendment Award, it can be found here.)
The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship was established to enable a mid-career editorial writer or columnist to have time away from daily responsibilities for study and research. The cash award allows Pulliam Editorial Fellows to:
Take courses
Pursue independent study
Travel
Pursue other endeavors that enrich their knowledge of a public interest issue
2023 Pulliam Editorial Writing Fellow
Jesse Wegman, The New York Times
Read press release
Past Pulliam Editorial Writing Fellows
2021 Christopher Maag, The Record and NorthJersey.com
2020 Faye Flam, Bloomberg Opinion
2019 Tim Steller, Arizona Daily Star
2018 Carolyn Lumsden, Hartford Courant
View project
2017 Rochelle Riley, Detroit Free Press
2016 Tim Swarens, Indianapolis Star
2015 Ronnie Polaneczky, Philadelphia Daily News
2014 Farah Stockman, Boston Globe
View project: Boston After Busing
2013 Hugh Bailey, Connecticut Post
View project: Ruins Reborn
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
2012 Sandra Shea, Philadelphia Daily News
View project: Tapped Out
2011 Mark Woods, The Florida Times-Union
View project: Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America's National Parks
2010 Jim Dwyer, New York Times
View project: More Awesome than Money
2009 No Fellowship Awarded, Centennial Project year
2008 Jay Bookman, The Atlanta Journal Constitution
2007 Jeff Gerritt, Detroit Free Press
2006 Karin Klein, editorial writer, Los Angeles Times
2005 Kate Riley, editorial writer, The Seattle Times
2004 A. Barton Hinkle, editorial writer, The Richmond Times-Dispatch
2003 Ximena Ortiz, editorial writer, The Washington Times
2002 David Sarasohn, associate editor of the Oregonian
2001 Joe Holley, Insight editor at the San Antonio Express-News
2000 Maura Casey, associate page editor at The Day in New London
1999 James Gogeck, editorial writer, The San Diego Union-Tribune
1998 George B. Pyle, editorial editor of the Salina (Kansas) Journal
1997 John Krist, Ventura County Star
1996 Keith Burris, Journal Inquirer
1995 Jay Bookman, The Atlanta Constitution
1994 Sarah Bachman, San Jose Mercury News, San Jose, California
1993 Carol Towarnicky, Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia, PA
1992 Thomas Hylten, The Mercury, Pottstown, Pennsylvania
1991 Greg Stone, The Day, London, Connecticut
1990 Linda Valdez, The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona
1989 Randolph Ryan, The Boston Globe
1988 Chris Waddle, The Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama
1987 John J. Fried, Long Beach, California, Press-Telegraph
1986 Jonathan Freedman, San Diego, California, Evening Tribune
1985 Betty DePamus, Detroit Free Press
1984 Graham S. Dower, Cleveland, Ohio Plain Dealer
1983 Ralph Johnson, Toledo, Ohio Blade
1982 No Award Made
1981 F. J. (Ted) Douglas, the Detroit News
1980 Ralph B. Bennett, San Diego, California Evening Tribune
1979 No Award Made
1978 Ross MacKenzie, Richmond, Virginia News-Leader
History
The Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship is a Society of Professional Journalists Foundation program. The Society of Professional Journalists first offered the fellowship in 1977, when Nina Pulliam provided funding for the program. It honor Mrs. Pulliam's husband, one of the original members of the Society, which was founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi (now called Society of Professional Journalists Foundation). Eugene C. Pulliam was the publisher of The Indianapolis Star, The Indianapolis News, The Arizona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette.
What the fellowship provides
The Pulliam Fellowship awards $75,000 to an outstanding editorial writer or columnist to help broaden his or her journalistic horizons and knowledge of the world. The annual award can be used to cover the cost of study, research and/or travel in any field. The fellowship results in editorials and other writings, including books.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a Pulliam fellowship, a candidate must:
Hold a position as a part-time or full-time editorial writer or columnist at a news publication located in the United States. Applications also are welcome from freelance opinion writers who devote a majority of their time, or derive a majority of their income, from that pursuit.
Have at least three years experience as an editorial writer or columnist.
Demonstrate outstanding writing and analytical abilities.
Secure assurances by the editor or publisher that the applicant will be allowed sufficient time to pursue the fellowship without jeopardizing employment. (Fellows do not have to leave their jobs.)
Demonstrate ability and intent to publish work within 18 months of selection. (If selected, work must be published within 18 months of receiving the fellowship).
All entries must be in English.
The selected applicant must provide a post-fellowship written report on how funds were used. Each Fellowship recipient will become a mentor to the following years recipient.
Application
The Fellowship has no formal application form. Each applicant should submit the following materials:
A cover letter stating the purpose and nature of the proposed study, a time line for accomplishing the work, and a plan for how the stipend will be used. The cover letter should contain complete contact information for the applicant including mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.
The editors endorsement.
A one-page professional biography and summary of professional experience.
Five samples of editorials or columns.
Selection
A panel of judges will review materials submitted by all the applicants and select the Fellow.
If selected, applicant should consult with their financial and/or tax adviser. Any tax implications associated with the Fellowship are the responsibility of the Fellowship recipient.
Questions?
For more information contact SPJ Headquarters at 317/927-8000 or by e-mail: awards@spj.org