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The best part of the Nieman experience was the personal growth that came from a new network of colleagues and friends in the larger Harvard community who have forever changed my world for the better. — Renee Ferguson, NF ‘07

Niemans in the News

Richard Chacón named WBUR’s executive director of news

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Boston’s NPR news station, WBUR, has named Richard Chacón executive director of news content. In the newly created position, he will oversee all of the station’s local news content and resources for both radio and digital reporting. Chacón, a 2005 Nieman Fellow, started his career in journalism at WBUR in 1984 while still a student at Boston University. He has worked in a variety of roles at The Boston Globe and has held several public policy and public affairs roles, notably overseeing the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants and serving as director of policy for Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Most recently, he has managed a capital campaign for MIT. Learn more »

Types of Fellowships

Since 1938 more than 1,300 journalists from 92 countries and territories have come to Harvard for a year of learning, exploration and fellowship.

Nieman Fellowships are awarded to print, broadcast and online reporters, editors, photographers, producers, editorial writers and cartoonists with at least five years of full-time, professional experience in the news media.

Fellowships are open to both U.S. citizens and journalists from other countries.

U.S. Fellowships: Each year up to 12 U.S. citizens are selected as Nieman fellows. As part of each class, we also select three specialized fellowships:

During years in which a watchdog journalist or investigative reporter from the United States is selected for a fellowship from the general application pool, the Nieman Foundation may offer the Murrey Marder Fellowship in Watchdog Reporting.

International Fellowships: Reserved for citizens of nations other than the United States, the foundation awards up to 12 international fellowships each year.

Nieman-Berkman Fellowship in Journalism Innovation: This is a joint fellowship between the Nieman Foundation and the Berkman Center for Internet & Society which will be awarded to someone with a specific proposed project related to innovation in journalism. Learn more about the fellowship, which was awarded for the first time in 2012.

Short-term Visiting Fellowship: U.S. citizens and journalists from other countries may apply for this fellowship. Please note that the 2013 Visiting Fellows have already been selected. Applications for the 2014 calendar year may be submitted beginning in the fall of 2013.

Please note: The Foundation is no longer requiring separate application processes for Arts & Culture and Global Health Reporting journalists. Journalists who cover these topics are strongly encouraged to apply for Nieman Fellowships in the general application pool, as are other beat reporters.