Twenty bursaries awarded in second JDF round of 2020

Twenty bursaries have been awarded in the second Journalism Diversity Fund round of 2020, which marks the 15th anniversary of the fund.

These aspiring journalists were awarded funding to begin their journalism training at NCTJ-accredited courses in the 2020-21 academic year, and bursaries can help fund their course fees and/or living expenses.

Twenty-eight shortlisted candidates were interviewed remotely on Thursday, 16 and Friday, 17 July. The interview panels included senior managers and editors from the NCTJ, Reuters, Associated Newspapers, News UK, Google News Lab, Sky Sports News, Rotherham Advertiser, ITV News, The Conversation, Financial Times, KentLive, Bloomberg, The Printing Charity, Sky News, CNN, PA Media and BBC.

Bursaries were awarded to:

• Gemma Bradley – News Associates Manchester
• Toby Bryant – News Associates London
• Declan Carey – News Associates London
• Elizabeth Conway – News Associates Manchester
• Lee Davey – News Associates London
• Robyn Davidson – News Associates Manchester
• Leanne Hall – News Associates London
• Aaliyah Harry – News Associates London
• Xenia Huntley – PA Training
• Ria Hylton – News Associates London
• Poppy Koronka – News Associates London
• Malyun Mohamud – News Associates Manchester
• Sam Ormiston – News Associates Manchester
• Jessica Phillips – City of Liverpool College
• Santosh Rudravajhala – University of Salford
• Eve Tawfick – News Associates London
• Piriyanga Thirunimalan – News Associates London
• May Woods – News Associates London
• Sophie Woods – News Associates London

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 380 bursaries since 2005.

Applications are now open for the third round of 2020, until Wednesday, 29 July.

For further information, please contact journalismdiversityfund@nctj.com.