Six trainee journalists receive bursaries

The careers of six young trainee journalists are off to a flying start after receiving bursaries from the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The six trainees were chosen from 57 people who applied to the NCTJ administered fund in April.

They were selected after demonstrating their diversity and potential for a career in journalism, first in their applications and later to an interview panel made up of senior figures from the media industry.

The six journalism trainees who received bursaries are:

• India Adams, who will be studying MA news journalism at the University of Sunderland;

• Martin Graham, who will be studying an MA in multi-media journalism at Glasgow Caledonian University;

• Amanda Hall, who will be studying MA print journalism at the University of Sheffield;

• Sophie Maden, studying a PgDip in print journalism, also at the University of Sheffield;

• Nneka Opara, who will be studying a pre-entry newspaper journalism course at Lambeth College;

• Nicola Williams, who is set to start a fast-track newspaper journalism course at Harlow College.

Interviews took place at the Financial Times on Thursday 11th June and the interview panel included Hugh Carnegy from the Financial Times, Paul Durrant of the Eastern Daily Press, Kate O’Toole of the Guardian Media Group and Rob Singh from thelondonpaper.

The Journalism Diversity Fund will hold its annual celebratory lunch at the Guardian on Thursday 1st October.

A further 68 applications were received for the Journalism Diversity Fund deadline in June and a shortlist of applicants who will be called for an interview will be announced in August. The next deadline for bursary applications is 5pm on Friday 30th October 2009.

An application form and further information about the Journalism Diversity Fund can be found at www.journalismdiversityfund.com