The New York Bloomberg Fellowship 2026 in USA is a fully funded opportunity in UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media and Bloomberg News are partners in the Bloomberg Journalism Programs. International and American students can apply for the fully funded Bloomberg Fellowship 2026.
Basic information about the Bloomberg Fellowship 2026
The Bloomberg Fellows Program will take place at Bloomberg Headquarters in New York City from May 18–22, 2026. It has complete funding. Bloomberg pays for everything, including housing, meals, and round-trip transportation to New York City.
Program Partners
- Bloomberg News
- UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
- UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism
Program Location
- New York City
Key points for 2025–2026 and 2026 entry cycles include:
University and institutional details
The goal of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media is to educate students about the importance of communication in promoting democracy and to equip them to spark public discourse in our state, country, and world. The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Bloomberg News, and top worldwide universities renowned for their superior journalism education work together to create the Bloomberg Journalism Programs. The Graduate School of Journalism at UC Berkeley is partnered with the New York program.
Important institutional features:
- Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH).
- Country: United States of America.
- Campus base: Baltimore, Maryland, with fellows often working in organizations across U.S. cities, including New York and other major metropolitan areas.
- Program structure: Fellows enroll in JHSPH’s MPH or DrPH while remaining engaged with a collaborating organization that operates in one of the initiative’s focus areas.
Study areas and available program focus areas
You will learn how journalists cover the economy, businesses, government, labor, financial, and commodities markets, and other areas where power and wealth combine during this fellowship. University students are eligible to apply for the fellowship.
Core focus areas include:
- Basics of financial markets and economic concepts
- Fundamentals of business journalism
- Reporting and editing skills
- Professional writing techniques
- Career guidance and mentorship
Within these tracks, fellows can tailor coursework across biostatistics, epidemiology, health policy, behavioral science, and management as part of the MPH or DrPH curriculum.
New York Bloomberg Fellowship benefits
The Bloomberg Fellowship is designed as a fully funded study opportunity to remove tuition barriers for committed public health professionals. The program emphasizes both academic excellence and sustained community impact.
Key benefits include:
- All expenses covered
- Travel to New York City
- Accommodation
- Meals during the program
- Training in business, economic, and financial journalism
- Understanding of markets, companies, government, and labor
- Hands-on reporting and writing practice
- Courses taught by Bloomberg journalists and journalism faculty
- Focus on diversity and representation in journalism
Benefits not included
- General living expenses such as housing, food, local transport, and personal costs (these are not comprehensively detailed as covered benefits on the fellowship site).
- International travel from your home country to the U.S. in cases where an applicant might be based abroad; funding is oriented toward supporting U.S.–based work and organizations.
- Visa processing costs and immigration‑related fees for non‑U.S. citizens, which are usually the responsibility of the student.
- Health insurance, books, and study materials unless explicitly covered through separate funding or assistantships outside the core fellowship.
Candidates should budget conservatively and check with Johns Hopkins student financial services for any additional aid options if personal support is required.
Eligibility criteria for New York Bloomberg Fellowship
Core eligibility criteria typically include:
- University students interested in journalism
- Rising juniors and seniors
- Students not currently studying business journalism
- Students from diverse backgrounds
- International students studying in the U.S. (institutional permission required)
- Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed online
Required documents for the application
The fellowship and degree application process involves both the general public health degree application and the fellowship‑specific forms. Typical required documents include:
- Online application
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
- One writing sample (500 words):
- Professional journalism role model and why you admire them
- Contact information for one faculty reference
Exact document lists may vary slightly by year and degree type, so always use the current instructions on the fellowship website when preparing your application package.
New York Bloomberg Fellowship application process (step‑by‑step)
The application process has two linked but distinct tracks: admission to the degree program and selection as a Bloomberg Fellow. A clear, step‑by‑step approach helps your application remain organized and on time.
- Research eligibility and focus areas
- Confirm that your current full‑time role and organization work clearly fits one of the five Bloomberg American Health Initiative focus areas.
- Discuss the opportunity with your organization’s leadership and secure their preliminary support.
- Choose your degree track (MPH or DrPH)
- Review program content, entry requirements, and professional fit to decide whether the MPH or DrPH better matches your background and goals.
- Remember that in one application cycle you may apply for only one of these degrees as a fellow.
- Apply to the MPH or DrPH program
- Submit your application through SOPHAS or the relevant JHSPH application portal by the posted deadline.
- Upload transcripts, resume, test scores if required, and program‑specific essays.
- Complete the Bloomberg Fellows Program forms
- Fill out the Bloomberg Fellows Program applicant form, describing your work, focus area, and intended impact.
- Coordinate with your collaborating organization so they complete their part of the application, including describing organizational impact and support.
- Submit all required materials before the fellowship deadline
- Ensure references submit letters on time and that all documents are uploaded by the posted date (for example, early December for the 2025–2026 cohort).
- Double‑check that the organization’s letter of commitment can be provided if you are selected.
Tips for a successful Bloomberg Fellowship application
The fellowship is competitive, so a strategic and authentic application is essential. Several practical steps can significantly strengthen your profile.
- Show a clear history of impact: Demonstrate concrete results from your work—programs you have led, communities you have served, or policies you helped shape—not just job descriptions.
- Align tightly with one focus area: Use data and examples to show how your work fits addiction, environment, food systems, adolescent health, or violence prevention; avoid generic public health language.
- Highlight long‑term commitment: Emphasize your intention to remain in community‑oriented or policy‑relevant work after graduation, aligning with the one‑year service obligation.
- Coordinate closely with your organization: Work with your supervisor or leadership so the collaborating organization statement strongly reinforces your impact and future role.
- Write targeted, personal essays: Use your essays to tell a compelling story that connects your background, current work, and future goals with the fellowship’s mission to improve U.S. health equity.
- Respect every deadline and instruction: Incomplete or late documents, including reference letters or onboarding forms, may result in your application not being reviewed or offers being withdrawn.
Monthly living expenses for international students (USD)
While the fellowship focuses on U.S.–based professionals, many applicants may be non‑U.S. citizens or may relocate to the United States for study. The Bloomberg School does not publish a single fixed living‑cost figure for all fellows, but typical student budgets for major U.S. cities offer a practical guide. For an international graduate student in a city like Baltimore or nearby large metropolitan areas such as New York, a reasonable monthly estimate is:
- Housing (shared apartment or student housing): 900–1,500 USD
- Food and groceries: 350–600 USD
- Local transportation: 80–150 USD
- Health insurance and medical costs (if not fully covered): 150–250 USD
- Books, supplies, and academic fees (average over the year): 80–150 USD
- Personal expenses and communication (phone, internet, clothing, etc.): 150–250 USD
In total, many graduate students in large U.S. cities plan for roughly 1,700–2,900 USD per month in living expenses, depending on lifestyle, housing choices, and location. Applicants should confirm current estimates with Johns Hopkins financial planning resources and adjust for their own situation.
Why choose the Bloomberg Fellowship? (at least 5 reasons)
This fellowship stands out among public health scholarships because it combines full funding with deep community impact and a strong professional network. Several reasons make it especially attractive for motivated public health leaders.
- Fully funded world‑class degree
- Fellows receive full tuition for an MPH or DrPH at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, one of the most respected public health institutions globally.
- Direct alignment with real‑world impact
- The fellowship supports professionals already working in organizations that are actively tackling addiction, environmental risk, food systems, adolescent health, or violence in U.S. communities.
- Strong professional network and mentorship
- Fellows join a national network of cross‑sector leaders and receive sustained mentoring and leadership development through the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
- Guaranteed pathway to post‑study service
- Collaborating organizations commit in good faith to employ fellows for at least one year after graduation, giving clear continuity between academic training and community impact.
- High‑visibility platform for policy and systems change
- Participation in high‑profile events like the Bloomberg American Health Summit and related convenings gives fellows a powerful platform to share innovations and influence policy debates.
- Strong brand value for future roles
- A fully funded Bloomberg Fellowship at Johns Hopkins signals rigorous training and commitment to equity, which is highly valued by public agencies, NGOs, foundations, and international organizations.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1. Is the Bloomberg Fellowship 2026 fully funded?
Yes. Fellows receive a full‑tuition scholarship
2. Do I have to work in the United States to be eligible?
Yes. The fellowship is designed for individuals working full‑time with U.S.–based organizations, and both the organization’s work and the applicant’s work must be based in the United States.
3. Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Non‑U.S. citizens can be eligible if they are full‑time employees of a U.S.–based organization and meet admissions and immigration requirements; however, visa sponsorship and related costs are separate from the fellowship and require careful planning.
4. Can I apply to both the MPH and DrPH with the fellowship in one cycle?
No. Fellowship applicants may apply to either the MPH or the DrPH program in a given cycle, but not both; submitting to both may result in not being considered.
5. What is the service obligation after graduation?
Fellows are required to work for at least one year with their collaborating organization in their focus area, starting within 12 months of graduation, as specified in the Grant Agreement.
Program Dates
- Application Deadline: Feb. 28, 2026
- Finalists Notified: March 19 – April 1
- Program Duration: May 18–22
