The outcome of our 2025-26 Canadian Nieman Fellowship process will be announced at the Canadian Journalism foundation Awards Gala on June 12.

CANADIAN NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP at HARVARD 2025-2026

APPLICATION INFORMATION

One Nieman Fellowship for a Canadian journalist to study at Harvard University will be awarded to a successful applicant as a result of funding by the Martin Wise Goodman Trust to the Nieman Foundation for Journalism.

Nieman Fellowships at Harvard University provide journalists working in all media a mid-career opportunity to study and broaden their intellectual horizons.  Fellows are free to enroll in graduate and undergraduate courses at the university and to participate in a wide-ranging extracurricular program to discuss contemporary issues with distinguished figures from journalism, business, education, and other professions as well as from the arts, public service and academia.

The fellowship will be granted for the academic year (September to June) and covers the cost of attending Harvard University and a stipend for living expenses.

There are no educational prerequisites for a Nieman Fellowship; nor do fellows receive either course credits or a degree for work done during the Nieman year.

Application is made by the individual journalist.  To qualify for consideration as the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellow, applicants:

• Must be Canadian citizens.

• All applicants, including freelancers must be working journalists. Photojournalists, editorial cartoonists, columnists, filmmakers and broadcast producers are also eligible to apply.

• During the last two years prior to applying, an applicant should not have participated in a fellowship lasting four months or longer.

• Must have had at least five years of  full-time or freelance professional experience in journalism.

• Must have a fluent knowledge of spoken and written English as required by Harvard University.

APPLICATION PROCESS

ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE OPEN OCTOBER 1, 2024

DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS IS DECEMBER 1, 2024

Canadian applicants should apply using the International Nieman Fellowship application. Within the application, indicate interest in the Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship as a designated fellowship.    

All Nieman Fellowship applicants must complete an online application form. Candidates for full academic-year fellowships must submit the following information as part of their package: 

• Two essays
• Summaries - a professional profile and study plan
• Work samples 
• Three letters of recommendation.

Details for applying can be found at: 

http://canadiannieman.blogspot.ca/p/about-nieman-fellowship.html

http://nieman.harvard.edu/fellowships/special-funding/

            

Further information may be obtained from:  

Lauren Goodman

canadiannieman@gmail.com

More information may be found at

http://www.nieman.harvard.edu 

WINNER NAMED FOR TWENTY SEVENTH

MARTIN WISE GOODMAN CANADIAN NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP

 

The trustees of the Martin Wise Goodman Trust announce that RACHEL PULFER, Executive Director of Journalists for Human Rights, has been awarded the twenty seventh Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

This fellowship is funded by a publicly subscribed permanent endowment in memory of Martin Wise Goodman, late President of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Ms. Pulfer will join the 86^th class of Nieman Fellows at Harvard University. The fellowship carries a stipend for living expenses and payment of fees to Harvard University.

                                             photo credit Celine Kim

 "This is just extraordinary news,” Ms. Pulfer said after the Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee awarded her the biennial fellowship. “I'm deeply grateful to the Goodman family for their support of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and humbled by being chosen as this year's Canadian Nieman Fellow. Thank you to the Martin Wise Goodman Trust, and the Nieman Foundation, for supporting me in my work at the intersection of journalism, human rights, development and media freedoms at this critical juncture for democracy and human rights worldwide. I greatly look forward to the year ahead, and hope to make a meaningful contribution, both to the Nieman community and to these fields, during the fellowship and afterwards." While at Harvard, Ms. Pulfer will study the intersection of journalism, human rights and international development, with a focus on how human rights journalism can help inform and improve local and global political decisions and policymaking, in and for developing countries.

Rachel Pulfer is the Executive Director for Journalists for Human Rights, where she oversaw an expansion in media development programming from Africa to North America, the Middle East and Central Asia. She arrived at JHR in 2010 after 11 years as a reporter and editor for Canadian Business, the Walrus, Azure and the Montreal Gazette. She has written on topics ranging from human rights and international development to the intersection of business and public policy. She has received a 2022 honorary degree in journalism from Loyalist College in Ontario and the Michener Baxter Award for Excellence in Public Service Journalism.

The Nieman Fellowships were established for American journalists in 1938 in memory of Lucius W. Nieman, founder of the Milwaukee Journal. It provides for a year of study for working journalists in any department of Harvard University as well as a seminar program. Previous to the founding of the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship in 1982, thirteen Canadian journalists had gone to Harvard on this program under other funding, including Martin Goodman (Nieman fellow class of '62).

“Rachel’s impressive career to date has exemplified a deep commitment to both the practice of journalism, but also to the journalistic community around the world”, said Jonathan Goodman, Chair of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship.  “Rachel makes journalism better; a year at Harvard University as a Nieman Fellow representing Canada, will only amplify and radiate her future impact on the profession.

This year’s Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee consisted of Anne Marie Lipinski, Curator, The Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University; Ed Greenspon, President and CEO, Public Policy Forum; Malcom Kirk, President of Canadian Press; Douglas Knight, Chair and CEO of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards; Laura Lynch, Host of CBC’s What on Earth, Karyn Pugliese, Editor-in-Chief of Canadaland; David Skok, CEO & Editor-in-Chief at the Logic; Jonathan Goodman, Global Chair of Monitor Deloitte and Chair of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship; Lauren Goodman, Administrator of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship; and Janis Goodman, wife of the late Martin Goodman. Each of Laura Lynch, Karyn Pugliese and David Skok are former Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellows.

Meet the Class of 2024

The Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard

Remembering John Honderich

1946-2022

The Canadian Nieman community is deeply saddened by the loss of John Honderich.  John played a pivotal role in the development and application of the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship for over 20 years, both as a Trustee and as a member of our Selection Committee.  His commitment to journalism in this country travelled through his support for the Fellowship.  We will all deeply miss his leadership, his dedication, his counsel, and his friendship.

 WINNER NAMED FOR TWENTY SIXTH

MARTIN WISE GOODMAN CANADIAN NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP 

2021-2022

The trustees of the Martin Wise Goodman Trust announce that PACINTHE MATTAR, a Toronto based journalist, producer and writer, has been awarded the twenty sixth Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

This fellowship is funded by a publicly subscribed permanent endowment in memory of Martin Wise Goodman, late President of  Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Ms. Mattar will join the 84^th class of Nieman Fellows at Harvard University.  The fellowship carries a stipend for living expenses and payment of fees to Harvard University. 

photo credit Taiwo Bah

"This is a dream come true, and I can still hardly believe it's happening to me,” Ms. Mattar said after the Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee awarded her the biennial fellowship. “I'm so deeply grateful to the Goodman family for extending me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and beyond humbled that I am following in the footsteps of some of the best journalists by being chosen as this year's Canadian Nieman Fellow. Thank you to the Martin Wise Goodman Trust, and the Nieman Foundation, for supporting me in my goal to improve the field of journalism at this critical juncture. I can't wait to get to spend the year ahead at Harvard University where I will have time to follow my curiosity, my interests, my passion, and share them alongside the other Nieman fellows who I am so excited to learn from. I look forward to an invigorating, inspiring, and game-changing year ahead."   While at Harvard,   Ms. Mattar will study how newsrooms and newsmaking can adapt to better foster, retain and promote Black, Indigenous and racialized journalists, focusing on how diversity initiatives can go beyond surface-level platitudes and lead to more representative newsrooms and coverage.

Pacinthe Mattar has most recently been a senior producer at Antica Productions. She spent a decade at the CBC where she covered everything from Middle East politics, pop culture, race, refugees and migration, Indigenous issues and more. Her work received a 2018 Silver at the New York Radio Festival Awards, as well as a 2015 Gracie Award. Her work has appeared on CBC, Buzzfeed, Toronto Life, Chatelaine, and The Walrus. Her feature article, “Objectivity Is A Privilege Afforded To White Journalists” for The Walrus was long-listed for the 2020 Allan Slaight Journalism Prize. In 2018 she was selected as an Arthur F. Burns Fellow.

The Nieman Fellowships were established for American journalists in 1938 in memory of Lucius W. Nieman, founder of the Milwaukee Journal. It provides for a year of study for working journalists in any department of Harvard University as well as a seminar program. Previously, thirteen Canadian journalists had gone to Harvard on this program under other funding, including Martin Goodman (Nieman fellow class of '62).

Pacinthe represents the best of Canadian journalism.  The Selection Committee was very impressed with Pacinthe’s editorial acumen, her courage, and her commitment to improving diversity in the newsrooms of the future,” said Jonathan Goodman, Chairman of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship.  

This year’s Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee consisted of Anne Marie Lipinski, Curator, The Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University; Ed Greenspon, President and CEO, Public Policy Forum; John Honderich, former Publisher of the Toronto Star; Malcom Kirk, President of Canadian Press; Douglas Knight, Chair and CEO of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards; Laura Lynch, Host of CBC’s What on Earth, Karyn Pugliese, Assistant Professor Ryerson University; David Skok, CEO & Editor-in-Chief at the Logic; Jonathan Goodman, Global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte and Chair of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship; Lauren Goodman, Administrator of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship; and Janis Goodman, wife of the late Martin Goodman. Laura Lynch, Karyn Pugliese and David Skok are former Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellows..

Meet the Class of 2022

Karyn Pugliese Canadian Nieman Fellow 2020

Karyn Pugliese is making the best of the interruption to her Nieman year…as of March 23, 2020…

“It is not so bad here” she says.

“Harvard did put classes online and Nieman foundation is doing their best.

The Nieman crowd in the meantime is all working together to make the year as good as it can be.

We are making the most of the year together while still following social distancing rules.

Some of it is actually pretty great.

I said it felt like we were in a Zombie apocalypse movie.

Maybe that’s why someone suggested visiting historic cemetery together.

Odd thing to do, but it is quite beautiful there. It was a small group of 5 and we stayed six feet apart.

Other ‘socially distant events’ included an online Bday party.

We have online happy hours every day at 5 pm.”

Karyn’s sounding was published in the Fall 2019 Nieman Reports you can read it here:

One Truth at a Time

Bringing Indigenous history to Canada’s media

WINNER NAMED FOR TWENTY FIFTH

MARTIN WISE GOODMAN CANADIAN NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP

The trustees of the Martin Wise Goodman Trust announce that KARYN PUGLIESE, Executive Director of News and Current Affairs at APTN, the world’s first Indigenous television network, has been awarded the twenty fifth Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

This fellowship is funded by a publicly subscribed permanent endowment in memory of Martin Wise Goodman, late President of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Ms. Pugliese will join twenty-six other journalists in the 82^nd class of Nieman Fellows at Harvard University.  The fellowship carries a stipend for living expenses and payment of fees to Harvard University.

“I am deeply grateful to the Martin Wise Goodman Trust and to the Neiman Foundation for making this opportunity of a lifetime available to a Canadian journalist. I am humbled to have been chosen as the 25^th recipient. I thank the Goodman family for this gift, and for empowering myself and all the previous recipients to pursue our curiosity and inspiration to contribute to our profession and the public good. I look forward to a transformative year of learning and sharing with the other Neiman fellows and scholars at Harvard University,” Ms. Pugliese said after an eight member Selection Committee awarded her the biennial fellowship.   While at Harvard, Ms. Pugliese will study the strategies newsroom leadership and educators can utilize to implement Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action for media and journalism schools.

Ms. Pugliese is the Executive Director of News and Current Affairs at APTN. Her investigative journalism has garnered national attention over a 20+ year career. She was recently named the 2019 Hyman Solomon Award winner, and previously received the Gordon Sinclair Award, the Charles Bury Award, and multiple Native American Journalism Awards. Ms. Pugliese supports media rights through her work as a board member of CJFE (Canadian Journalists for Free Expression) and as President of the CAJ (Canadian Association of Journalists). She is also an ambassador for JHR (Journalist for Human Rights).

The Nieman Fellowships were established for American journalists in 1938 in memory of Lucius W. Nieman, founder of the Milwaukee Journal. It provides for a year of study for working journalists in any department of Harvard University as well as a seminar program. Previously, thirteen Canadian journalists had gone to Harvard on this program under other funding, including Martin Goodman (Nieman fellow class of '62).

This year’s Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee consisted of Anne Marie Lipinski, Curator, The Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University; Malcolm Kirk, president of The Canadian Press; Douglas Knight, chair & CEO of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards; David Skok, CEO & Editor-in-Chief at The Logic; Ed Greenspon, President and CEO, Public Policy Forum; Jonathan Goodman, Global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte and Chair of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship;  Lauren Goodman, Administrator of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship; and Janis Goodman, wife of the late Martin Goodman.

“The Selection Committee was very impressed with Karyn’s journalism, her enthusiasm for her craft, and her industry and community leadership.  We are certain that Karyn will benefit greatly from, but also contribute uniquely to, the Nieman Program,” said Jonathan Goodman, Chairman of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship.

Complete List of Nieman Fellows Class of 2020

#canadiannieman25

…promoting Canadian journalism

We’re celebrating our 25th Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellow 
at Harvard University

Class of 2020

Meet our previous 24 Canadian Nieman Fellows

Help support Canadian Journalism by Donating Here to the 

Canadian Nieman Fellowship

WINNER NAMED FOR TWENTY FOURTH

MARTIN WISE GOODMAN CANADIAN NIEMAN FELLOWSHIP

The trustees of the Martin Wise Goodman Trust announce that MICHAEL PETROU, freelance journalist and foreign correspondent who has reported from across Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, has been awarded the twenty fourth Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

This fellowship is funded by a publicly subscribed permanent endowment in memory of Martin Wise Goodman, late President of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Michael will join eleven other foreign journalists and twelve American journalists in the 80^th class of Nieman Fellows at Harvard University.  The fellowship carries a stipend for living expenses and payment of fees to Harvard University.

I am honoured to have been selected for this fellowship, and I am deeply grateful to the Martin Wise Goodman Trust and to the Nieman Foundation for Journalism for making it possible. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas with my journalist peers from around the world, and to learning from the community of scholars at Harvard University. I know it will be a wonderful and stimulating year. I'm particularly excited to share the experience with my family, Mr. Petrou said after an eight member Selection Committee awarded him the biennial fellowship.   While at Harvard, Michael Petrou will study history and international relations. He will explore how media can shape accepted narratives in contested political spaces, authoritarian states and fragile democracies.

Michael Petrou is a foreign correspondent, author and historian. He’s won three National Magazine Awards, including for reportage from Haiti and Ukraine. Petrou is the recipient of the 2017 R. James Travers Foreign Corresponding Fellowship, which he has used to report on Syrian refugees in the Middle East. He’s also a fellow at the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies. Petrou spent ten years as a senior writer and foreign correspondent at Maclean’s magazine. He previously worked for the Ottawa Citizen, the National Post, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC World Service in London. He has a doctorate in modern history from the University of Oxford, where he was a Chevening Scholar.

The Nieman Fellowships were established for American journalists in 1938 in memory of Lucius W. Nieman, founder of the Milwaukee Journal. It provides for a year of study for working journalists in any department of Harvard University as well as a seminar program. Previously, thirteen Canadian journalists had gone to Harvard on this program under other funding, including Martin Goodman (Nieman fellow class of '62).

The first twenty-three recipients of the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellowships were as follows: Paul Knox of the Globe and Mail, Gregory Weston of the Ottawa Citizen, Mary Lou Finlay of CBC Radio Toronto, Jamie Lamb of the Vancouver Sun, Jonathon Ferguson of the Toronto Star, Jennifer Lewington of the Globe and Mail, Tom Regan of the Halifax Daily News, Joe Hall of the Toronto Star, Terry Gilbert of the Calgary Herald, Paul Carvalho of CBC TV News Montreal, Laura Eggerston of Canadian Press, Bonnie Lafave of CBC TV Toronto, Jim Meek of the Halifax Herald, Laura Lynch of CBC Radio Vancouver, Paule Robitaille of CBC Latin American Bureau, John Geddes of Maclean’s Magazine, Christian Rioux of Le Devoir, Bill Schiller of the Toronto Star, James Baxter of the Edmonton Journal, Jana Juginovic of CTV,  David Skok of globalnews.ca,  Laura-Julie Perreault of La Presse and Stephen Maher of Postmedia News.

This year’s Canadian Nieman Fellowship Selection committee consisted of Anne Marie Lipinski, Curator, The Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University; Mary Lou Finlay, formerly of the CBC; Malcolm Kirk, president of The Canadian Press; Douglas Knight, President of St. Joseph Media; David Skok, Digital Media Executive; Jonathan Goodman, Global Managing Partner of Monitor Deloitte and Chair of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship;  Lauren Goodman, Administrator of the Canadian Nieman Fellowship and Janis Goodman, wife of the late Martin Goodman.

The committee is very enthusiastic to have Michael represent Canada in the 2017-2018 Nieman program. We are impressed by Michael’s journalistic experience and are certain he will both benefit significantly from, but also contribute mightily, to this coming year’s Nieman class.

Complete List of Nieman Fellows Class of 2018

Stephen Maher, Nieman Fellow '16 just finished his year in the Nieman Foundation at Harvard as the Martin Wise Goodman Canadian Nieman Fellow, read what he has to say about it on J-Source:

What 12 Months as a Nieman Fellow taught journalist Stephen Maher

http://www.j-source.ca/article/what-12-months-nieman-fellow-taught-journalist-stephen-maher