If you’re considering applying to the World Press Institute Fellowship, you’ll want to understand the practical requirements and what the nine-week commitment actually involves. Here’s what you need to know.
What WPI covers
The fellowship covers all essential program costs:
- Round-trip international airfare to Minneapolis/St. Paul
- All transportation within the United States
- Housing throughout the nine weeks
- Health insurance that meets J-1 visa requirements
- A stipend to cover daily expenses including meals
Fellows stay in shared housing in Minneapolis/St. Paul (dorm-style rooms or rented properties) and double-occupancy hotels during the travel portion of the program. Many meals are provided as part of scheduled programming, and the stipend covers the rest.
The visa process
Selected fellows enter the United States on a J-1 exchange visitor visa. WPI handles most of the visa groundwork: we provide the DS-2019 form, pay the required SEVIS fee ($220), and supply documentation for your visa interview.
Selected fellows will need to schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in your country as soon as you receive your DS-2019 form. The visa application itself costs approximately $160 USD (this varies by country and is your responsibility).
What you’ll pay for
Personal expenses are fellows’ responsibility. This includes clothing, entertainment, phone service (you’ll likely want a local SIM card), personal travel, and anything you send home.
On domestic U.S. flights, airlines charge baggage fees. WPI covers one checked bag; additional bags are your expense. Budget accordingly when packing.
Bring a credit card and extra cash. How much depends on your spending habits, but plan for incidentals and the occasional meal or coffee on your own.
The time commitment
The program runs nine weeks, typically early September through early November. This isn’t flexible; fellows must be present for the entire duration. Fellows are required to attend all sessions, briefings, interviews, and social events. The schedule is intensive.
The cohort spends roughly three weeks in Minneapolis/St. Paul with short trips to other parts of Minnesota and Iowa. Then five weeks traveling as a group to major U.S. cities. Fellows return to Minneapolis for the final week and commencement ceremony.
The J-1 visa allows a few extra weeks beyond the program dates if you want to travel independently afterward at your own expense.
Before you decide
The logistics aren’t complicated, but the commitment is real. Nine weeks away from your newsroom, your family, and your daily responsibilities is significant. The fellowship only works if you can be fully present, professionally and personally.
If you can’t step away completely, or if the timing doesn’t align with your circumstances, wait. There’s no value in applying if you can’t participate fully. The fellowship will run again.
If you can commit, the logistics are manageable. The visa process is straightforward if you start early. The costs you’ll bear are modest. The time away is finite.
If you believe this is the right moment in your career to step back, look wider, and return home with a broader frame for the decisions you make – apply!
