California Health Equity Fellowship

The California Health Equity Fellowship is an initiative based at the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism designed to support journalists based in California who are pursuing ambitious and underreported stories related to health and health equity. The Fellowship recognizes that impactful journalism can drive public awareness and influence policy by highlighting the complex factors shaping health outcomes. This program centers on equipping reporters with the training, mentorship, and financial resources necessary to execute community-rooted, high-impact stories on overlooked public health issues. The Fellowship supports a broad, community-centered view of health. Rather than focusing solely on clinical settings, it emphasizes the roles of environmental and social determinants in shaping population well-being. Reporting themes supported by the program include systemic racism and its role in health disparities, food insecurity, economic instability, housing insecurity, and the performance of public systems such as healthcare, education, and justice. The Fellowship encourages accountability journalism that holds these systems to account and prioritizes stories that can bring about positive change for underserved populations. Selected Fellows attend an intensive in-person training from March 16–19, 2026, on the USC Annenberg campus. The training includes expert-led discussions and workshops with national health authorities, seasoned journalists, and community health leaders. Beyond this immersion, Fellows benefit from five months of ongoing mentorship and virtual programming to support the completion and impact of their reporting projects. The program fosters collaboration, offers practical tools, and creates a professional support network for sustained journalistic work in health equity. Fellows receive grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 to support their reporting costs. In addition, those pursuing creative engagement projects may apply for supplemental funding of $1,000 to $2,000 and an additional five months of mentorship in engaged journalism. The funds are intended to assist with expenses that directly contribute to the successful execution of the fellow’s proposed project, including travel, research, data acquisition, and other relevant costs. Applications for the 2026 cycle must be submitted by January 14, 2026, at midnight Pacific Time. Applicants must complete an online application form that includes a personal statement, project proposal, statement of deliverables, proposed budget, resumé, editor checklist, a letter of reference, and three work samples. Technical support for the application process is available through designated program staff. The program is open only to journalists who are based in California, reflecting its regional focus on the state's unique health equity challenges. For inquiries or additional details, applicants can contact the program via [email protected]. While the application deadline has passed for 2026, those interested are encouraged to sign up for the program’s newsletter to receive updates about future application cycles.