The Lauren Brown Fellowship honours the legacy of Lauren Alix Brown, a visionary editor, mentor, and advocate for equity in journalism. Established by her colleagues, family, and friends, in collaboration with the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), the fellowship supports women and nonbinary journalists from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds working in the United States.
Lauren Brown, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 37, served as a founding editor and director of special projects at Quartz Media. During her career, she championed journalism that centered marginalized voices and challenged conventional media narratives.
Her approach to digital journalism as both editor and writer was innovative and ahead of its time, helping to shape the modern media landscape. She believed deeply in storytelling that elevated the unheard, and in nurturing the talents of emerging journalists. The Lauren Brown Fellowship aims to continue this mission.
Deadline: Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
Grant Amount: Up to $2,000
Eligibility: Women and nonbinary journalists from underrepresented backgrounds, based in the U.S.
Application Platform: Submittable
Purpose and Vision
The fellowship is designed to empower emerging and mid-career journalists whose work reflects the values Lauren upheld: editorial excellence, inclusivity, digital innovation, and bold, human-centered storytelling. It is particularly focused on supporting:
- Journalists from communities historically underrepresented in mainstream media
- Narratives that highlight under-reported or critical social, political, economic, or environmental issues
- Projects that challenge dominant perspectives and expand public understanding
- Opportunities that advance journalistic careers through skill-building or professional development
By funding independent reporting and supporting development opportunities, the Lauren Brown Fellowship provides both financial and institutional backing to strengthen the careers of journalists who are too often overlooked by traditional funding streams.
Fellowship Details
Fellows will receive up to $2,000 in grant funding to support:
- Original Reporting Projects
- Investigations or longform features that address critical or underreported topics
- Projects may span a range of formats including written, audio, or multimedia journalism
- Professional Development and Training
- Opportunities such as skills training, workshops, or mentorship that contribute to long-term career growth
- Programs that enhance expertise in specific beats or tools for digital journalism
- Leadership Building
- Engagement in initiatives that position journalists as thought leaders or community mentors
- Initiatives that increase visibility and influence in the media industry
The fellowship is open to freelance and staff journalists. Applicants must reside in the United States and identify as women or nonbinary. Special consideration will be given to those from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups within the media profession.
Selection and Timeline
The application deadline is July 20, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. All applications must be submitted through the IWMF’s Submittable platform. The selection committee—comprised of IWMF and Quartz representatives—will review all submissions based on originality, relevance, feasibility, and potential impact.
Grant recipients will be notified by the end of August 2025.
Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit:
- A short project proposal or statement of purpose, outlining how the grant will be used
- A budget indicating how the funds will be allocated
- A brief bio or résumé
- Work samples (preferably published or broadcast within the past three years)
Additional supporting documents (letters of recommendation, editorial support, etc.) may strengthen applications but are not mandatory.
About the IWMF
The International Women’s Media Foundation is dedicated to supporting the advancement of women and nonbinary journalists worldwide. Through fellowships, grants, safety training, and emergency assistance, the IWMF works to foster greater diversity, equity, and freedom in the global media landscape.
Honoring a Legacy
Lauren Brown’s impact on journalism was profound—not only for her editorial talent, but for her unwavering support of others in the newsroom. This fellowship reflects her values and continues her legacy by investing in those who are telling the stories that matter, especially when those stories might otherwise go unheard.
To apply or learn more about the Lauren Brown Fellowship, visit the IWMF website or access the application directly via Submittable.