Introduction
The William Southam Journalism Fellows are an integral part of the Massey College community. Since 1962, the program has brought together more than 250 esteemed Canadian and international journalists for an academic year of education, reflection, and fellowship.
Massey College and the University of Toronto are grateful for the generosity of the Alva Foundation in memory of Gordon N. Fisher, former president and CEO of Southam Inc. the estate of the late St. Clair Balfour, Lisa Balfour Bowen and the late Walter Bowen, Clair Balfour and Marci McDonald, Wilson J.H. Southam, the R. Howard Webster Foundation, the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the partnership with Journalist for Human Rights (JHR) and the generosity of past Journalism Fellows.
Program Overview
William Southam Journalism Fellows are outstanding Canadian journalists in mid-career who are invited to spend a year at Massey College, a graduate college within the University of Toronto. The objective of the fellowship program is to encourage improvement in journalism, offering journalists an opportunity to broaden their horizons by studying in a university setting.
Fellows are selected by a committee appointed by the President of the University and the Principal of Massey College. They are chosen for professional competence and future potential as effective and responsible journalists.
As many as three fellowships for Canadian journalists (St. Clair Balfour Fellow, Webster / McConnell Fellow and Massey College Fellow ) are awarded annually, tenable for one academic year, September through April.
Applicants must be full-time news or editorial employees with Canadian newspapers, news services, radio, television, or magazines, with at least seven years’ experience. Freelance journalists working consistently in the media over a seven-year period for primarily Canadian publications are also eligible.
Fellows enrol in any graduate or undergraduate courses and have access to the most facilities of the university. There are no educational prerequisites for a Fellowship. Fellows do not receive credits or degrees for work done during the year.
The academic program typically combines general education with concentration in at least two courses; one course must be taken in full and all assignments completed.
In a parallel extra-curricular program, the Fellows meet regularly for informal seminars to discuss contemporary issues with guests invited from a wide variety of professions.
To obtain the maximum benefit of the program, the successful candidates agree to refrain from all professional work, including writing and broadcasting, during the period of the Fellowship. Personal holidays or travel is restricted to university holiday periods. Those selected are appointed Fellows-at-Large at the University of Toronto, with all the privileges of a Senior Resident at Massey College.
The William Southam Journalism Fellowships include: (1) A stipend of $4,900 per month, for the eight-month university year, from September to April; (2) All university fees; (3) Book expenses of up to $600.
If you are interested in the Gordon N. Fisher/JHR Journalism Fellowship, please see the information below.
The Gordon N. Fisher / Journalists for Human Rights Fellowship
The Gordon N. Fisher / JHR Journalism Fellowship at Massey College runs in tandem with the William Southam Journalism Fellowships, offering one journalist from Sub-Saharan Africa or the Middle East an opportunity to broaden their horizons through a year of academic study at the University of Toronto. Funded by the Alva Foundation in memory of Gordon N. Fisher, former president and CEO of Southam Inc., the Fellowship is delivered in partnership with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR).
Fellows enjoy full access to the University of Toronto’s academic resources and may enrol in any undergraduate or graduate courses. While the program carries no formal prerequisites and does not grant academic credit, Fellows typically pursue broad intellectual exploration alongside more focused study in at least two courses, completing all requirements for one of them.
Outside the classroom, Fellows take part in an extra-curricular seminar series featuring distinguished guests from journalism, public life, and academia. As part of the immersive nature of the program, Fellows agree to refrain from professional work during the Fellowship and limit personal travel to official university holiday periods. They are appointed Fellows-at-Large at the University of Toronto and enjoy the full privileges of a Senior Resident at Massey College.
Throughout the year, Fellows are invited to produce an original piece of reportage—using any journalistic format—that reflects or engages with Massey’s academic community. This work will be shared on the Massey College website.
The Fellowship provides:
Travel expenses for organized program trips.
A stipend of $4,900 per month for eight months (September–April);
Payment of all University of Toronto fees;
Round-trip economy airfare to and from Toronto;
Applications
Applications for the 2026–2027academic year are now closed.
Applications for the Wiilliam Southam and the Gordon N Fisher/ JHF journalism fellowships for the 2027-2028 academic year will be accepted from December 1, 2027, until February 28, 2028.
Applications for the William Southam Journalism Fellowship and the Gordon N. Fisher / Journalists for Human Rights Fellowship must include:
- A professional biography
- A current CV
- A statement of intent that includes:
- Why you wish to be considered for a Fellowship
- The course(s) of study at University of Toronto you believe will contribute most to your professional development
- How you would benefit from the multidisciplinary environment at Massey College
- How you would contribute to the Massey community
- Three samples of recent work produced in the last year
- The names and contact information for two referees who will provide letters of reference.
Massey College is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity and advancing equality; we encourage journalists from traditionally excluded and marginalized groups to apply.