Best Grants for Journalism in Kentucky

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism

Prize Summary

The AACR June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism was established by the AACR in 2015 to raise awareness of the critical role that the media play in educating the public about cancer and cancer research.

Funded by a major bequest to the AACR from cancer research pioneer Dr. June L. Biedler, a scientist, mentor, and former member of the AACR Board of Directors, this prize showcases outstanding examples of cancer journalism and recognizes individual professional journalists who have produced accurate, informative, and compelling stories that enhance the public’s understanding of cancer, cancer research, cancer advocacy, or cancer policy.

The prize provides an unrestricted cash award of $5,000 and a commemorative award.

Categories

Each submission may be considered for only one category, as selected by the candidate on the application form.

Applicants may submit in any of the following categories:

Prize Acceptance

Awardees will be able to accept the prize during the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 in Orlando, April 2-7, 2027.

Columbus Matrix Foundation Scholarship

Since the early days of print journalism, The Association for Women in Communications has evolved to become the overarching professional organization to unite communicators across a vast spectrum of disciplines-from print and broadcast journalism, to graphic design, photography, public relations, advertising, marketing, new media, and much more.

Award Amount:

• Up to four scholarships of $10,000 payable over four years at $2,500 per academic year.

Alpha Chapter Controlling Corp. of the Delta Theta Sigma Fraternity Scholarship Fund

The purpose of the fund is to provide scholarship awards to deserving high school students who plan to attend an accredited college or university and undertake studies in marketing, communications, journalism, or advertising.

Award Amount:

• The Gene “Duke” Perry Scholarship - $3,000.00
• The Founders Scholarship - $1,500.00
• The Founders Scholarship - $1,500.00

We are about helping children, right here in Marietta!

Kiwanis Club of Marietta members participate in service projects, hold fundraisers, and change children’s lives in our community. In addition, club members contribute to Kiwanis International initiatives helping clubs around the world assist children with education, basic needs, and medical care.

The Kiwanis Club of Marietta was chartered March 3, 1930 - Marietta, GA.

The Kiwanis Club of Marietta has proudly established and contributed to several scholarship endowments over the years to support deserving college students in our community. These scholarships are made possible through our club's Flag Project, which places over 1,300 American flags in front of homes and businesses five times each year.

Bill “Scoop” Kinney Journalism Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2006 by the Marietta Kiwanis Foundation in honor of Mr. Bill Kinney, the Senior Associate Editor of the Marietta Daily Journal. 

Selection emphasis will be placed on academic performance with priority given to current or former Cobb or Marietta.

Awards

• $2500

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Congressman Mark Foley Scholarship for Journalism Education Fund

Must be enrolled in a program with a major in Journalism.

Kentucky students pursuing journalism or related writing and media studies can access scholarship funding through the Velma Shotwell Griffin Memorial Scholarship Fund, administered by Stark Community Foundation. Awards of more than US $500, renewable, support graduates of Conotton Valley or Carrollton High Schools with financial need attending accredited colleges or universities.

American Indian and Alaska Native graduate students in journalism, communication, literature, or related fields in Kentucky and nationwide can receive need-based tuition support through the Katrin Lamon Fellowship. Grants from Native Forward Scholars Fund help full-time students at accredited U.S. institutions who can document Tribal affiliation or eligible descent pursue advanced journalism and communications studies.

Journalism-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in Kentucky and across North America can receive US $5,000 - US $15,000 to advance Adventist-related reporting and storytelling projects. Versacare supports Seventh-day Adventist publications, universities, academies, and independent media exploring systemic issues, major stories, training, and ethical communication within Adventism.

Journalism organizations and freelance reporters producing U.S. health care affordability stories can receive US $20,000 for outstanding television or audio work, including streaming and podcasts. With a mission to highlight impactful health reporting, the National Institute for Health Care Management honors high-quality, original journalism that informs health plans, policymakers, and consumers; Kentucky-based outlets may be eligible.

Journalism outlets in Kentucky covering local U.S. health care affordability, access, and quality can compete for the National Institute for Health Care Management’s Local Media Award, which offers a US $15,000 prize. Eligible entries are locally focused stories or series from newspapers, magazines, their websites, or nonprofit news organizations published in 2025.

Journalists and news organizations producing investigative or general reporting on U.S. health care affordability can compete for a US $20,000 prize, including those serving Kentucky audiences. Grants from the NIHCM Foundation help journalism outlets publish original work that informs health plans, policymakers, health care delivery, and consumers about costs, access, and quality.

Journalists and specialty publications in Kentucky covering U.S. health care affordability and access can apply for the National Institute for Health Care Management’s Trade Journalism Award, which offers US $15,000 for outstanding work. Eligible entries are 2025 articles or series for specialty audiences that inform health plans, policymakers, and related stakeholders.

Journalists and media outlets in Kentucky covering forestry and natural resources can receive more than US $500 through the Outstanding Forestry Journalism Award for impactful reporting. Society of American Foresters offers a $500 honorarium, convention registration, and travel support for print, television, or radio work that advances public understanding of forestry issues.

Students interested in journalism in Kentucky and beyond can receive support for higher education costs through the Gene Robb Journalism Scholarship, which funds those with a demonstrated commitment to journalism and samples of journalistic work. The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region uses a universal application for this and other academic scholarship programs.

High school seniors interested in journalism and needing financial assistance can use this scholarship to pursue higher education, though it is limited to the Greater Capital Region rather than Kentucky. With a mission to empower generous people, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region provides this academic scholarship opportunity for aspiring journalists.

Journalists and media outlets producing investigative or social-justice reporting in Kentucky and across the U.S. can apply for monthly Sidney Awards, which provide US $1,000 honoraria. Focused on journalism in service of the common good, the Sidney Hillman Foundation recognizes outstanding work in any medium that appeared in the prior month.

Kentucky journalists working on in-depth reporting about technology’s impact on society can access funding through Omidyar Network’s Tech Journalism Fund. U.S.-based freelancers, staff reporters, editors, and teams may apply for US $5,000 - US $25,000 to cover travel, research, fact-checking, data access, multimedia, and reporting time on AI and tech-related projects.

Kentucky K-12 institutions and journalism educators can access funding through Pulitzer Center’s K-12 Education Grant Program on Global Health to run projects using Pulitzer-supported reporting. Eligible libraries, schools, museums, and community organizations in the U.S. must reach at least 500 students and/or educators, deepening understanding of global health and media’s role while inspiring sustained community action. Awards are Up to US $1,500.

Kentucky journalism students can access funding through Maine Community Foundation for undergraduate or graduate studies in journalism or closely related media fields. Awards of US $1,000 - US $60,000 support graduates of Maine high schools or Maine home-schooled students whose coursework and activities show a strong commitment to a journalism career.

Students pursuing creative writing or journalism from Chelan or Douglas County in Washington can apply for the Kathryn Lodge Mhatre Creative Writing Scholarship to support postsecondary education. Grants from Community Foundation of North Central Washington help writers studying areas like novels, poetry, or journalism, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and a short original writing sample.

Students pursuing journalism or communications who are residents and high school graduates of designated South Texas counties can receive renewable support for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses at accredited U.S. colleges. With a mission to build community, San Antonio Area Foundation provides scholarships that Kentucky-based programs may reference as a model for journalism-focused student aid.

Muslim undergraduate and graduate students in journalism, media studies, or related writing fields in the U.S., including Kentucky, can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 for their studies and career development. Islamic Scholarship Fund provides media scholarships that include funding, mentorship, and professional experience to strengthen American Muslim representation in media and journalism.

College juniors, seniors, and graduate or PhD students in journalism seeking scholarship support may be eligible for this fund, which can benefit students from Kentucky and across the U.S. The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Robert Sr. and Mary Churchwell Scholarship Fund supports aspiring journalists who demonstrate financial need, strong academics, community service, and a commitment to professional journalism.

The U.S. Hillman Prize for Newspaper Journalism, awarded by the Sidney Hillman Foundation, recognizes outstanding journalism that serves the common good. Open to global journalists, entries must be published in English and accessible to U.S. audiences within the last year. Winners receive a $5,000 honorarium and a certificate at a New York City ceremony. The foundation also honors work related to racial and economic justice through additional awards. Entries should focus on impactful stories.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

Awards, Grants, & Fellowships

Ambitious freelancers who want to tackle an in-depth reporting project often find that the fee from a potential publisher doesn’t come close to covering their costs and time. Grants and fellowships can fill that gap, but freelancers have to know about them in order to apply. In this section, the Freelance Center is compiling a list of non-AHCJ grants, fellowships and awards (for when the hard work is done).

Sunshine Award

Presented by AHCJ’s Right-to-Know Committee

AHCJ’s Right-to-Know Committee established the Sunshine Award at Health Journalism 2026 as a way to elevate the work of journalists like STAT’s Bob Herman who fight for government transparency. We plan to continue this tradition annually from now on. Award winners receive free registration and a one-night hotel stay for our annual conference, a free year of AHCJ membership, a trophy and a certificate.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship

This opportunity is for U.S.-based journalists.

Issues with the U.S. health care system are often obvious — from large swaths of uninsured residents and junk insurance plans, to high maternal mortality rates and preventable medical errors. But what is at the root of issues like these? What could an equitable health care system look like? 

Through the U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a significant reporting project related to the U.S. health care system at the local, regional and/or national level.

This fellowship allows mid-career journalists to maintain their regular employment while working on a major project over a 12-month calendar year. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

We believe that issues of health equity impact every facet of the health care system, which is why we’re specifically interested in projects focused on health equity. This might include racial disparities within a community, gaps in public health inclusion, unstable housing, insurance access, food insecurity, violence as a health issue, how health care institutions or systems are applying a racial equity lens to their policies and practices or otherwise addressing inequities or disparities, or other examinations of systemic problems that have become so apparent over the last few years.

Guidance is provided by AHCJ mentors through customized seminars on health care systems, conference calls and email consultations. The fellowship covers the cost of attending the seminars and the annual AHCJ conference, as well as a $2,500 project allowance to defray the cost of field reporting, health data analysis and other project-related research. In addition, you will receive a $5,000 fellowship award upon the successful completion of the project.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships

A fellowship for experienced journalists with a focus on international health.

In comparing the U.S. health care system to its global counterparts, journalists traveling to different countries as part of the AHCJ International Fellowship program can produce projects that provide valuable insights that can help inform policy decisions, improve health care outcomes and contribute to the ongoing evolution of health care systems worldwide.

Through the AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a story or project comparing a facet of the U.S. health care system to that of another country. 

For 2027, the focus will be on the U.K. and France in comparison with the U.S. health care system. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

This fellowship allows highly experienced journalists to maintain their regular employment while working to evaluate a key component of the health care system, a health outcome, access, performance, providers, efficiency or other focal point over a six-month period.

That period allows for preparatory time, a site visit to the chosen European country, interviews and information gathering, as well as follow-up and writing time. Guidance is provided through seminars, conference calls and consultations with AHCJ fellowship leaders, a mentor and exposure to various topic experts.