The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship

Each year, the Fritt Ord Foundation offers a six-month journalism fellowship at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, England, with studies starting in January. The application deadline for the 2026 fellowship is 1 September 2025.

Read about the projects of previous fellows.

The fellowship is aimed at Norwegian journalists with a minimum of five years of journalistic work experience. Especially well-qualified applicants who do not fulfil these requirements may also be considered. The candidate will be part of an international fellowship programme for journalists. The course will emphasise practical and theoretical development in journalism, offering opportunities for professional specialisation and research.

During the programme, the candidate will write a thesis on a topic of their choice within journalism or media/media development. The applicant must attach an outline of his/her chosen topic for in-depth study.

Fritt Ord will cover tuition fees, travel expenses and a grant for living expenses of NOK 80 000 per month. The total value of the fellowship is approximately NOK 800 000.

The application deadline for the programme, which starts in January 2026, is 1 September 2025.

The Oxford Fellowship

The Fritt Ord Foundation is offering a six-month fellowship in Journalism at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, England, which starts in January each year. The fellowship is intended for Norwegian journalists with a minimum of five years of journalistic work experience. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford selects the fellow from among the Norwegian journalists who apply.

Although the fellowship normally requires at least five years of journalistic experience, particularly well-qualified applicants who do not meet this requirement may also be considered. The candidate will be part of an international fellowship programme for journalists. The programme will emphasise practical and theoretical development in journalism, offering opportunities for professional development and research.

The Reuters Institute is housed in an old brick villa in Oxford University Park. The Institute is part of the University of Oxford, which is spread across many faculties, departments and a variety of buildings throughout the city.

During the stay, the candidate will write a paper on a topic of his/her choice within journalism or media/media development. The applicant must attach an outline of the chosen topic of in-depth study.

Use the Reuters’ application form to apply: https://reutersinstitute.smapply.io/prog/journalism_fellowship/, from 7 July to 1 September.

Remember to tick that you are applying for a Fritt Ord student fellowship in question 5 of the application form.

Please contact Hanne Vorland, if you have any questions about the fellowship.

Previous recipients of the fellowship are:

2025 Jon Kåre Time, journalist at Morgenbladet
2024: Ingeborg Rangul, journalist at Fagbladet
2023: Tarjei Leer Salvesen, freelancer and former investigative manager at Fædrelandsvennen
2022: Hanne Østli Jakobsen, journalist and lead reporter at Morgenbladet
2021: Tor Kjetil Kristoffersen, news editor at Finnmark Dagblad
2020: Shazia Majid, journalist at VG
2019: Thea Storøy Elnan, journalist i Aftenposten
2018: Ingerid Salvesen, freelance journalist
2017: Heidi Taksdal Skjeseth, foreign affairs journalist at Dagsavisen
2016: Sidsel Dalen, freelance journalist and author
2015: Mah-Rukh Ali, former news anchor on TV2
2014: Mikal Hverven Hem and Knut Erik Holm. Hem is a freelance journalist and author; Holm was head of foreign affairs at NRK.

About the fellows’ projects

Other fellowship projects
Tor Kjetil Kristoffersen compared the presentation of the Sami in Norwegian media with Canadian indigenous peoples in Canadian media. Shazia Majid investigated the role of minority women in the news.
If you have any questions, please contact Senior Advisor Hanne Vorland by e-mail: "hanne.vorland@frittord.no ":mailto:hanne.vorland@frittord.no

News

See all

Ingeborg studies constructive journalism in Oxford

April 25 2024

This story is only published in Norwegian.

The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship at Oxford for 2024

August 24 2023

The Fritt Ord Foundation calls for applications for a 6-month journalism fellowship at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University in England, for a programme starting in January 2024. The deadline for applications is 12 noon on 4 September 2023.

The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship

August 23 2022

We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship for journalists funded by the Fritt Ord Foundation. This gives an unique opportunity for Norwegian journalists to benefit from a funded fellowship at the University of Oxford, commencing in January 2021. Application deadline: Wednesday 165 September 2020, at noon.

Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship for 2021 awarded to Tor Kjetil Kristoffersen

October 14 2020

“The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship” at Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford for the period January – July 2021 has been awarded to Tor Kjetil Kristoffersen, news editor at Finnmark Dagblad.

The Fritt Ord Foundation's Oxford Fellowship for 2020 is awarded to Shazia Majid

October 25 2019

The Fritt Ord Foundation’s journalism fellowship to the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford for 2020 is awarded to Shazia Majid, journalist and former commentator at VG.

The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship

September 25 2019

We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship for journalists funded by the Fritt Ord Foundation. This gives an unique opportunity for Norwegian journalists to benefit from a funded fellowship at the University of Oxford, commencing in January 2020. Application deadline: Wednesday 25 September 2019, at noon.

Fritt Ord Foundation Oxford grant for 2019 awarded to Thea Storøy Elnan

October 24 2018

At the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Thea Storøy Elnan will be investigating whether the #metoo campaign has changed the way in which journalists in Norway, Sweden and the UK write about sexual harassment and the victims of abuse. What consequences has the #metoo campaign had on press ethics? How professional are the media in their coverage of incidents of sexual harassment and, in the wake of the campaign, how aware are journalists of the real price people pay when they come forward and talk about such experiences?

Call for Applications: The Fritt Ord Journalism Fellowship – In Honour of Preben Munthe

September 17 2018

The Fritt Ord Foundation funds half a year of study and research in Oxford for a Norwegian journalist. The fellowship will be given to a journalist ordinarily resident in Norway. The fellow will spend six months at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University, commencing January 2019.

Oxford grant for 2018 awarded to Ingerid Salvesen

October 25 2017

The Preben Munthe Fellowship Grant at Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford has been awarded to freelance journalist Ingerid Salvesen for the period January–July 2018.

Call for Applications: The Preben Munthe Fellowship 2018

September 18 2017

The Fritt Ord Foundation sponsors half a year of study and research in Oxford for a Norwegian journalist. The fellowship will be given to a journalist ordinarily resident in Norway. The fellow will spend six months at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University, commencing January 2018.

Norwegian journalist to Oxford: The Preben Munthe Fellowship

September 12 2016

Norwegian journalist to Oxford: The Preben Munthe Fellowship

September 18 2015

The Preben Munthe Fellowship for journalists 2015

September 19 2014

Call for applications from journalists ordinarily resident in Norway for the Preben Munthe Fellowship at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University, in 2015.