Six bursaries awarded in third round of 2019

The third round of the Journalism Diversity Fund in 2019 has concluded with the awarding of six bursaries.

These aspiring journalists were awarded funding to begin their journalism training at NCTJ-accredited courses in the 2019-20 academic year, and bursaries can help fund their course fees and/or living expenses.

Nine shortlisted candidates were interviewed at the BBC in Birmingham on Thursday, 29 August. The interview panels included senior managers and editors from the NCTJ, BBC, BBC Academy, Daily Mail, PA Media, Sky Sports News and The Printing Charity.

Bursaries were awarded to:

• Amy Clarke – University of Sheffield
• Anna Marie Hughes – University of Kent
• Marvel Kalukembi – Kingston University
• Minreet Kaur – News Associates London
• Damian Shepherd – University of Sheffield
• Megan Stanley – Cardiff University

At their interviews, the candidates were questioned on their passion for journalism, financial need and diversity.

The fund was set up in 2005 with a donation of £100,000 from NLA media access, with the aim of encouraging more diverse people to train as journalists and making newsrooms better reflect the communities they serve.

Thanks to the financial support of the industry, we have now awarded 339 bursaries since 2005.

Applications are open for the fourth and final round of 2019, with a deadline of Wednesday, 6 November.

For further information, please contact journalismdiversityfund@nctj.com or call 01799 544014.