The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is partnering with the Scripps Howard Fund to offer 25 paid internships to journalism students in 2026.
INN created the internship program in 2023, in partnership with the Scripps Howard Fund, aimed at expanding access to high-quality, hands-on experience for students in rural areas. In each of the program’s first two years, Scripps supported summer interns in eight rural INN newsrooms. That number grew to 13 this summer, with five additional in the fall.
These internships are open to college students (undergraduate and graduate) as well as students graduating college in the 2025-26 school year. Roles will vary by newsroom and the requirements may differ, but all internships will run for 10 or 20 weeks and pay a minimum of $15 per hour.
“We’re thrilled to grow our partnership with Scripps Howard Fund to offer journalism students internships at newsrooms across the INN Network. This program is strengthening the pipeline of young journalists that care about and see the value in nonprofit news,” said Alana Rocha, INN’s director of collaborative and rural initiatives.
Each internship will feature weekly training sessions with fellow interns from across the country, in addition to one-on-one coaching from newsroom leaders.
Members of the INN Network selected for the 20-week internships are:
- Carolina Public Press
- Oklahoma Watch
- The Daily Yonder
- The Maine Monitor
- Wisconsin Watch
INN Network newsrooms selected for the 10-week internships are:
- Athens County Independent
- BenitoLink
- Bridge Michigan
- Conecta Arizona
- inewsource
- Investigate Midwest
- Invisible Institute
- KOSU
- LOOKOUT News
- Louisville Public Media
- Mission Local
- Mountain State Spotlight
- Oviedo Community News
- Shasta Scout
- South Dakota News Watch
- Spotlight Delaware
- The Current GA
- The Shoestring
- VTDigger
The deadline to apply is Jan. 31. Apply here.
Once selected, an intern can apply to the Fund for an additional grant to help with housing, relocation and other expenses to support their ability to accept an internship.
Those interested in learning more can join the Fund’s virtual Q&A on Jan. 22. Click here to sign up.
Student journalists are also invited to attend a resume writing workshop on Jan. 14. Register here.
