Applications are now closed for 2025 Professional Development Grants
Recipients to be announced soon
Our commitment to helping you become a better journalist
Since 2001, the Jack Webster Foundation has provided grants for BC journalists and journalism educators to pursue professional development in writing and editing, photography, documentary filmmaking, creative non-fiction, investigative journalism, newsroom leadership, and more.
Our grant recipients have taken courses at universities including UBC, Simon Fraser, Royal Roads, McGill, and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and organizations such as Editors Canada and Investigative Editors and Reporters.
Others have received funding to support their unique self-directed professional development goals, whether to acquire or upgrade specific skills, or to research and write a special project.
So that the Foundation can offer our limited funding to the maximum number of journalists, we encourage applicants to consider more affordable options, such as on-line courses.
The Jack Webster Foundation announces the grant recipients annually in the spring. Recipients will have until the end of February of the following year to complete their professional development programs.
ELIGIBILITY
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Journalists working with print, broadcast, or online news organizations in BC
- Freelancers whose work has been aired or published in BC over a three-year period
- Instructors at BC journalism schools
HOW TO APPLY
TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSE:
Step 1
Fill out the online application form here
Step 2
Attach the following entry requirements in your application form:
A current resume
A statement of 250-500 words (maximum) explaining how completing this course will enhance the quality of your journalism
One letter of reference
One sample of your published/broadcasted journalism (or link to work not behind a paywall, currently accessible)
Step 3
Click submit form and wait for confirmation.
TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FOR SELF-DIRECTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:
Please complete the following steps:
Step 1
Fill out the online application form here.
Step 2
Attach the following entry requirements in your application form:
A current resume
A brief outline of your proposed project including goals, timeline and budget.
One letter of reference
One sample of your published/broadcasted journalism (or link to work not behind a paywall, currently accessible)
Step 3
Click submit form and wait for confirmation.
DEADLINE
The deadline to apply for 2025 Professional Development Grants was Sunday, April 27th at 11:59 p.m. Applications will open for 2026 grants early in the year.
2024 RECIPIENTS
The 2024 Jack Webster Foundation Professional Development Fellowship Recipients are:
of Kamloops B.C.
Regional Editor, Castanet
Ms. Holliday’s funding will help fund her course Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. Her fellowship is presented in memory of the late B.C. reporter, Don Matheson.
Vancouver, B.C.
Creator/Producer,
CBC Podcasts
Ms. Martinson has enrolled in the course Creative Writing Non-Fiction 2 offered through Simon Fraser University.
2023 RECIPIENTS
To read more about the 2023 recipients, click here.
Ms. Baluja’s funding will help fund her Master’s in Creative Nonfiction at the University of King’s College, Nova Scotia.
Editor, Campbell River Mirror
Mr. Taylor has enrolled in the Stylistic Editing course offered through Simon Fraser University.
Tallulah is pursuing a self-defined fellowship that will assist her further studies of documentary filmmaking at UNBC.
2022 RECIPIENTS
Shalu Mehta of Victoria, B.C., Lead Reporter, The Discourse
Janis Cleugh, of Coquitlam B.C., Reporter/Copy Editor/Paginator, Certified Professional Proofreader, Tri-City News
Nora O’Malley of Ucluelet B.C., Reporter, Photojournalist, The Westerly News
2021 RECIPIENTS
Francesca Fionda, Investigative Journalist
Manusha Janakiram, Senior Producer, What on Earth, CBC Radio One
Jennifer Leask, Instructor, Langara & Adjunct Professor, University of British Columbia
Ethan Morneau, Reporter, Vista Radio
Moira Wyton, Health Reporter, The Tyee
2020 RECIPIENTS
Mike Hager, Reporter, The Globe and Mail
Stefan Labbé, Digital Reporter, Tri-City News
Clare Hennig, Web Writer and Digital Associate Producer, CBC Vancouver
