Journalism Diversity Fund training bursaries awarded

Nine aspiring journalists have been awarded bursaries by the Journalism Diversity Fund to complete NCTJ-accredited training courses.
Colin Cowan; Samson Dada; Ese Erheriene; Christopher Gage; Joshua Hammond; Ana Hine; Neil Kingston; Rebecca Koncienzcy and Suhail Patel were successful in securing bursaries to help them complete their journalism training.

They will be studying NCTJ-accredited courses at Belfast Metropolitan College; News Associates Manchester; Press Association London; Cardiff University; UCLan; St Mary’s University College; City of Liverpool College and Lambeth College.

Interviews took place at the offices of the Brunswick Group and talkSPORT in London on Friday 23 August.

The panels, whose members included Brien Beharrell, editorial director, Newbury Weekly News; Dave Betts, managing editor, Sky News; Alice Ryan, head of features, Cambridge Magazines; and Andy Veale, group editor, Archant; quizzed interviewees on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

The announcement brings the total number of bursaries awarded this year to 18, with one final opportunity to apply for funding in 2013.

Bursaries are awarded four times a year to students studying an NCTJ-accredited course. They are awarded to students from socially or ethnically diverse backgrounds and can help them cover the cost of course fees and living expenses.

The fourth group of bursaries for the academic year September 2013/August 2014 are now open for applications. The deadline is Wednesday, 6 November at 5pm.