USA Scholarships
Soros Justice Media Fellowship Track II 2027
Soros Justice Media Fellowship Track II from Open Society-U.S. funds seasoned writers, journalists, filmmakers, and artists to spend twelve months on a US criminal justice media project. Track II targets media makers with at least ten years of relevant full-time experience; Track I serves emerging makers with two or more years. The last published Track II stipend was $85,000 all-inclusive for living costs, production, travel, insurance, and related expenses over the fellowship year. Fellows devote at least thirty-five hours per week to the project, cannot hold other full-time work, and must produce audience-facing deliverables during the term rather than research-only plans. Open Society paused all three US Soros Justice Fellowship tracks and skipped the 2025 call while reviewing the program''s future, so confirm on opensocietyfoundations.org before you prepare a March 2027 submission.
What is the Soros Justice Media Fellowship Track II?
Soros Justice Media Fellowship Track II is the Open Society Foundations slot for media makers who already have a decade of full-time work behind them and want a year to pursue a US criminal justice story without splitting attention with a newsroom day job. Track I catches emerging voices at $63,000 in the last published cycle; Track II pays $85,000 all-inclusive for twelve months when you can show the longer resume.
The fellowship is built around deliverables, not vague research. Open Society wants articles, broadcasts, books, films, or hybrid projects that reach audiences while the clock runs. That is why documentary pitches stuck in pre-production do not fit, and why book writers need publisher interest before they apply. You also owe Open Society at least thirty-five hours a week, with no other full-time employment and no full-time student status on the side.
Criminal justice here means the US system in all its friction: mass incarceration, extreme sentences, policing, courts, and the communities carrying the harm. OSF does not hand you a topic menu. You argue that your project will inform debate or push accountability, and the committee decides whether the story earns a year of funded attention.
As of the pause announced for the 2025 cycle, Open Society is not collecting new Soros Justice Fellowship applications while it rethinks the portfolio. Treat every deadline on third-party sites as stale until opensocietyfoundations.org posts a fresh call. When the portal returns, expect an early-March cutoff similar to the 2 March 2022 Media Fellowship timeline, and use [email protected] for fit questions before you upload a Track II file.
Eligibility
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✓Ten years of full-time media experience (Track II)Track II requires at least ten years of relevant full-time experience as a writer, journalist, filmmaker, artist, or comparable media maker. Open Society may consider shorter careers only when the applicant shows exceptional distinction.
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✓Professional publication or broadcast recordApplicants need established work in local, regional, or national markets or among targeted audiences. Non-professionals must prove they can finish the proposed project anyway.
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✓US criminal justice subject matterProjects must engage mass incarceration, extreme punishment, fairness, or accountability in the US criminal legal system. Open Society does not publish a fixed topic list; you make the case that your story advances public debate.
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✓Full-time commitment during the fellowshipFellowships run twelve months with at least thirty-five hours per week on the project. You cannot keep another full-time job or enroll as a full-time student during the term.
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✓Deliverables within the fellowship yearProposals must reach audiences during the fellowship itself. Pure research or pre-production-only film plans are ineligible; books need publisher interest and outreach plans, and documentaries must be in post-production or distribution.
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✓No prior Soros Justice FellowshipPast Soros Justice Fellowship recipients cannot reapply. Joint teams of up to three people may submit one application sharing a single award.
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✓High school diploma or equivalentAll applicants must hold at least a high school diploma or equivalent. There is no degree minimum beyond that baseline.
Benefits
- Fellowship stipend $85,000 over 12 months
- Living and production costs All-inclusive award
- Health insurance and travel Expected within stipend
- OSF fellowship convenings Travel covered separately
- Host organization salary Not provided; media track is independent
- Degree tuition Not funded
- Lobbying activities Prohibited use of funds
- Stipend for emerging makers $63,000 over 12 months (last published)
- Experience requirement At least 2 years full-time media work
- Track II budget $85,000 for 10+ years experience
Document checklist
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✓Online application through OSF portalWhen the call is open, applications submit through the Soros Justice Fellowships portal linked from opensocietyfoundations.org. Incomplete files are not reviewed.
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✓Project proposal and work planDescribe the criminal justice story, intended audiences, deliverables, and timeline for the twelve-month term. Show how the work fits the current political moment when relevant.
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✓Work samples and publication recordUpload writing clips, broadcast pieces, films, or art that prove your Track II experience. Samples should match the medium you propose for the fellowship project.
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✓Budget narrativeExplain how the all-inclusive stipend covers living expenses and production because Open Society does not add funds beyond the published award except for fellowship-related convenings.
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✓Publisher or distributor evidence (if applicable)Book projects need a publisher contract or strong interest letters. Documentary proposals must be in post-production or distribution with an outreach plan.
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✓Optional email inquiry (200 words)Uncertain applicants may email [email protected] with a short project summary before applying. An inquiry is not an application.
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✓Finalist interview materialsFinalists interview with OSF staff and outside experts and may submit supplemental documents after the initial deadline.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
How much does Soros Justice Media Fellowship Track II pay?
The last published Track II award was $85,000 over twelve months. Open Society treats the amount as all-inclusive for living expenses, production, travel, insurance, and similar costs. OSF covers travel to fellowship convenings separately.
What is the difference between Track I and Track II media fellowships?
Track I serves emerging media makers with at least two years of full-time experience and carried a $63,000 award in the last cycle. Track II requires about ten years of full-time media work and carried $85,000. Joint applications from up to three people share one award.
Is the Soros Justice Media Fellowship accepting applications?
Open Society paused Soros Justice Fellowships and announced it would not issue a 2025 call while reviewing the program. Check opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/soros-justice-fellowships for any reopening before you plan a 2027 submission.
What topics fit Soros Justice Media Fellowship projects?
Projects should engage US criminal justice issues such as reducing incarceration, challenging extreme punishment, or improving fairness and accountability. OSF welcomes intersectional stories involving race, poverty, immigration, gender, and community harm but does not publish a fixed topic list.
Can filmmakers apply for Track II?
Yes, if they meet the experience threshold. Documentary proposals must be in post-production or distribution with a promotion and audience engagement plan. Research or pre-production-only film ideas are ineligible.
Do I need a host newsroom or nonprofit?
Media Fellowship applicants do not need host organizations. You may describe collaborations, but the expectation is independent full-time project work funded by the stipend.
Can past Soros Justice Fellows reapply?
No. Prior Soros Justice Fellowship recipients are ineligible. Applicants may give permission for OSF to share their file with the Soros Equality Fellowship if staff think it is a better fit.
Who should I contact about eligibility?
Email [email protected] with a brief project description when you are unsure about fit. Final decisions always follow the published guidelines for the active cycle.
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