Twenty-five JDF bursaries awarded in cohort two

After receiving an unprecedented number of applications, cohort two of the 2018 Journalism Diversity Fund, which is administered by the NCTJ, has concluded with the awarding of 25 bursaries.
These aspiring journalists were awarded funding to begin their journalism training at NCTJ-accredited courses in the 2018-19 academic year, and bursaries can help fund their course fees and/or living expenses.

Thirty-two shortlisted candidates were interviewed at the Financial Times in London across Thursday, 2 and Friday, 3 August. The interviewing panels included senior managers and editors from the NCTJ, BBC, Bloomberg, BuzzFeed, The Conversation, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Printing Charity, Reuters, Sky Sports News, The Telegraph and the Thomas Read bursary.

Bursaries were awarded to:

Chloe Adams – Glasgow Caledonian University
Adelina Adjei – News Associates London
Andronicos Andronicou – Kingston University
Kamilla Baiden – Press Association Training
Kathryn Batte – University of Sheffield
Yasemin Craggs Mersinoglu – News Associates London
Josephine Fay – News Associates London
Timothy Gallagher – News Associates London
Jessica Glass – News Associates London
Kumail Jaffer – News Associates London
Shardell Joseph – News Associates London
Carly-May Kavanagh – Brighton Journalist Works
Jessica Knibbs – Press Association Training
Adam Maidment – News Associates Manchester
Yemaya Marsden – News Associates London
Sheila Marshall – Press Association Training
Chloe McLaughlin – University of Salford
Awil Mohamoud – Kingston University
Svar Nanan-Sen – News Associates Manchester
Tom Orde – Highbury College
Laura Parnaby – University of Sheffield
Yuan Ren – Press Association Training
Jack Richardson – News Associates London
Konzani Thabani Ncube – Staffordshire University
Catherine Wiltshire – Kingston 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 awarded almost 300 bursaries since 2005.

Due to the high number of applications in this round, an additional round was opened, allowing any late applicants to accredited courses starting after 4 September the opportunity to apply. The deadline for applications in this round is Wednesday, 8 August at 5pm.

For further information, please contact Cecilia Judmann, events and training officer, on 01799 544945 or email cecilia.judmann@nctj.com.