The World Press Institute (WPI) is proud to announce its 61st cohort of international journalism fellows. Nine accomplished journalists from Argentina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, Hong Kong, India and Italy have been selected to participate in WPI’s flagship fellowship program, which has empowered more than 600 journalists from over 100 countries since its founding in 1961.
From Sept. 4 to Oct. 31, 2026, the fellows will traverse the United States, gaining firsthand insights into the American media landscape and meeting with leading journalists, policy experts and business leaders. They will explore America’s diverse social fabric and its intricate politics.
The program begins in Minnesota, where fellows are immersed in the culture and complexities of the Midwest — from the Twin Cities’ vibrant urban press scene to the scenic North Shore and the agricultural heartland of southern Minnesota and Iowa.
As they journey through the country — including stops in Washington, D.C., New York City, Austin, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and more — fellows will engage with a wide spectrum of media organizations and public institutions. These interactions offer rare opportunities for professional development, cross-cultural exchange, and collaborative learning.
The 2026 fellowship will focus on urgent themes shaping journalism and public discourse: the impact of artificial intelligence on newsrooms, innovative business models in digital media, and the issues surrounding the 2026 midterm elections. By examining these issues up close, WPI fellows return home better equipped to strengthen independent journalism and democratic accountability in their own countries.
For photos and more info, please visit the 2026 Fellows Page.
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Founded in 1961, the World Press Institute has been the premier organization in the United States providing international journalists with the opportunity to broadly investigate the country — its values, traditions of a free press, institutions, customs, regions and peoples. WPI now has more than 600 alumni from over 100 countries around the globe.
