Brief Information
The Jefferson Fellowships 2026 is a prestigious travel-study program for experienced journalists focused on New Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence: Navigating AI’s Impacts on Societies and Economic Security in the Asia-Pacific Region. Participants travel across Honolulu, Tokyo, and Seoul from 25 Oct – 12 Nov 2026 while engaging in expert discussions, field visits, and collaborative reporting.
Key Dates & Details
- 📅 Application Deadline: 11:59 pm Hawai‘i Standard Time, 10 March 2026
- 📍 Program Dates: 25 October – 12 November 2026
- 🌐 Location: Honolulu (USA), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea)
- 🎯 Target Group: Print, broadcast & online journalists with ≥5 years experience
- 💼 Coverage: Travel-study, travel support (details depend on funding)
- 📌 Theme: AI, social change & economic security in the Indo-Pacific
Table of Contents
Overview
The Jefferson Fellowships 2026 is a three-week professional enrichment tour curated by the East-West Center. It brings journalists together to study critical issues around artificial intelligence and its societal and economic effects across the Indo-Pacific region. Through expert briefings, cultural immersion, and peer collaboration, fellows enhance their capacity to produce insightful, globally relevant journalism.
This travel-study fellowship strengthens investigative reporting skills while offering unique networking opportunities with media professionals, policymakers, and academic experts. Participants also share their experiences through post-program output including articles, blogs, broadcast segments, and other media formats.
Beyond its academic and policy briefings, the Jefferson Fellowships 2026 emphasizes practical, field-based learning. Fellows engage directly with technology innovators, researchers, government officials, and civil society leaders working at the forefront of artificial intelligence development and regulation. The program encourages cross-border dialogue, allowing journalists from different media systems to compare how AI policies, digital governance frameworks, and economic security strategies are evolving across the Indo-Pacific.
In addition to structured sessions, participants benefit from informal peer exchanges, collaborative discussions, and cultural immersion activities that deepen regional understanding. By the end of the program, fellows are expected to produce impactful stories that contribute to informed public discourse on AI, digital transformation, and the future of economic resilience in their respective countries.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Jefferson Fellowships 2026, applicants must:
- Be print, broadcast, or online journalists (not students)
- Have at least 5 years of professional journalism experience
- Have professional fluency in English
- Demonstrate interest and relevance of the theme to their beats
- Be willing to produce coverage during and after the program
Application Details
Required Application Documents:
- Completed online application form
- Letter of interest (max 3 pages)
- Résumé or CV (max 2 pages)
- Employer’s statement of support (if applicable)
- Two (2) professional reference letters
Your letter of interest should clearly state:
- Your professional background and current role
- Reasons for applying and relevance of AI theme to your work
- Story ideas linked to the fellowship’s theme
- How participation will improve your reporting impact
Submission: All applications must be submitted through the East-West Center Submission Manager by 10 March 2026.
FAQ
Q1: Who is Jefferson Fellowships 2026 designed for?
A1: Experienced journalists in print, broadcast, or digital media with a strong interest in covering AI and socio-economic trends in the Indo-Pacific.
Q2: When will the program take place?
A2: From 25 October to 12 November 2026 across Honolulu, Tokyo, and Seoul.
Q3: Is there a minimum experience requirement?
A3: Yes, applicants should have at least 5 years of professional journalism experience.
Q4: What should be included in the letter of interest?
A4: Your background, goals for the fellowship, proposed story ideas, and how the fellowship will advance your journalism.
Official Link
👉 Apply for the Jefferson Fellowships 2026 before 10 March 2026: Submit Your Application
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