“The Journalism Diversity Fund awards bursaries to people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their NCTJ journalism training. Supported by those in the industry who want to make newsrooms better reflect the communities they serve, applications are open to individuals with the potential to succeed in one of the most exciting and rewarding careers around.” Reads the JDF Website

I never imagined that I would be one of the lucky ones awarded a Bursary, but today I found out that I was. I got the phone call early in the morning and was in such shock that I’d been successful, I was lost for words, not something that happens to me often!

This Bursary will give me, not only the opportunity to study but the chance to make some valuable industry connections and open some real doors for me, that is if I make the most of the help and support the JDF and NCTJ have to offer, which I intend to.

The fund was set up in 2005 with a donation of £100,000 from NLA media access and since then the JDF has offered nearly 300 bursaries. I feel privileged to be among the candidates that a panel of judges felt was deserving of funding for NCTJ training.

Each year there is three round of applications, I missed the first round because you MUST be accepted on an NCTJ accredited course before you can apply. Additionally, your course must start after the bursary is awarded ie: you cannot already be on your course.

In my cohort (two), there was an unprecedented number of applications and as a result, 32 candidates were shortlisted, with a total of 25 bursaries being awarded. The cohort was so popular that the fund opened an extra round of applications, that have now closed resulting in the awarding of 11 more bursaries.

If you would like to apply for funding I suggest you check out the website and see for yourself if you can, the criteria are quite broad, so please do take a look. http://www.journalismdiversityfund.com

Please watch this video about the fund also: