VOICES 2026 applications now open for student fellows and editors

Join AAJA’s 2026 VOICES cohort! 

AAJA is seeking passionate undergraduate and graduate storytellers who are eager to improve their reporting skills by participating in an intensive, multimedia fellowship program. Selected fellows will be given the opportunity to produce ambitious reporting on wide-range of AANHPI issues to be featured on the AAJA VOICES website and republished with community partners. Previous fellows produced stories that were republished in a number of news outlets including: Tampa Bay Times, Technical.ly, AsAmNews, and India Currents.

We’re also recruiting professional editors to mentor and guide the students. VOICES editors oversee reporting projects, lead training sessions, and help students transition from the classroom to professional newsrooms. This is a unique opportunity for journalists and media professionals seeking to exercise their leadership skills in a volunteer capacity. It’s also a chance to serve the AAJA community by mentoring and guiding future journalists.

The following positions are available for editors:

    • Managing editor – Oversees VOICES editorial direction, builds curriculum, manages timelines, and ensures teams are productive. Requires leadership, big-picture thinking, and quick decision-making. Serves as the main volunteer lead for the program.
    • Deputy editor – Bridges Managing Editor and teams, supervises stories, provides feedback, and ensures progress. Needs strong organization and adaptability.
    • Assignment editor – Assigns and coordinates stories, keeps reporters on track, and ensures balanced coverage. Key skills: communication, detail-oriented, and collaborative problem-solving.

VOICES 2026 will include hands-on training and project work starting in the spring and culminating in person at #AAJA26 in Minneapolis, Minnesota from June 24-28.

Application Requirements

For editors, application requirements include an online portfolio, resume, and answers to short questions.

The deadline for editor applications is Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

For fellows, application requirements include a recommendation letter, journalism samples or a portfolio, resume, and one well thought out story pitch. 

The deadline for fellow applications is Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

MEDIA CONTACT

Nicole Yu, Communications and Programs Coordinator

Email: nicoley@aaja.org

ABOUT VOICES 

VOICES is a student fellowship program that equips student journalists with career-ready skills to succeed in the continually evolving media landscape. The program aims to help journalists understand how audiences engage with them, how communities view the work they produce and how they can understand the impact their work has. By nurturing relationships between students and professional volunteers, VOICES gives fellows the opportunity to tap into mentors’ networks and grow their own. Learn more here, and see past student work on the VOICES website.

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