Introduction

O’Brien Fellows complete, during nine-month Fellowships over two academic semesters, in-depth reporting projects of their choosing on a topic of state, regional, national, or international interest. See the Our Work section of our website for examples of previous O'Brien projects. 

Since the O'Brien Fellowship began in 2013, most Fellows have worked from a home base in the O’Brien newsroom in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. O'Brien accepts remote, non-residential applications, but gives extra weight in the selection process to applicants ready to reside in Milwaukee during the Fellowship. (O'Brien provides residency/rental and moving allowances for residential Fellows who come from outside the Milwaukee area.) We strongly encourage those applying for O'Brien Fellowships to choose the residential option, owing to the advantages it provides to Fellows and the top Marquette journalism students they mentor while pursuing investigative projects. 

SEE OUR CODE OF CONDUCT >> 

Eligibility

We seek applications from staff-employed or independent journalists residing in the United States or its territories. Applicants should have at least five years of professional journalism experience as an employee or freelancer. Investigative reporting experience is preferred. Applicants may be connected to print operations, radio, television, websites, podcasts, online publications, wire services, or magazines of general public interest. There are no academic prerequisites.

Stipend and Benefits

A stipend of $75,000 for nine months, paid to your sponsoring organization or directly to the Fellow in the case of independent journalists.

Selection and Criteria

How to Complete Your Application

Method 1 (Preferred)

We provide space in our official online application form for you to link to your supporting files from a file sharing service such as Dropbox or Google Drive, or from your personal or company’s website. This allows us to view your materials online. This is our preference.

Method 2

If you are unable to send us a link to your materials, you may email them to us at obrienfellows@marquette.edu with the subject "O’Brien Application Materials: Your Name."

Method 3

As a last resort, we will accept physical copies of materials at the mailing address below. These materials won't be returned to you. Please call us before sending them.

 

Questions?

Contact obrienfellows@marquette.edu 

FAQS

 

Current selection committee

Jacqui application photo

 

Jacqui Banaszynski | ​Poynter Institute Editing Fellow and Visiting Faculty Member

 

 

 

John Barron application

 

John Barron | Former Editor/General Manager, ​Tribune Content Agency

 

 

 

Greg Borowski application

 

 Greg Borowski | ​Deputy Editor of projects and investigations, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

 

 

Marissa Evans

 

 Marissa Evans  | Health Reporter, Los Angeles Times

 

 

 

Daphne Chen

 

 Daphne Chen  |  Investigations Editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

 

 

 

Katherine Lewis

 

 Katherine Lewis  | Former O'Brien Fellow, Independent Journalist

 

 

 

Marty Kaiser application

 

 Martin Kaiser | Journalism Media Consultant, Martin Kaiser LLC

 

 

 

Non-voting committee members

Dr. Sarah Feldner | Acting Provost

Jeffery Gerritt  | Pulitzer-Prize winner, O'Brien Fellowship Director