✅ What Are We Looking for in a Fellow?

This Spring, we at Altavoz Lab will be offering not one, but two fellowships: the Community Journalist Fellowship and our brand new Nick Oza Visual Fellowship for photographers in Arizona and New Mexico. Both support storytellers who have put down deep roots in the communities they serve; both offer the tailored and nurturing mentorship that makes us unique among journalism trainings and capacity building programs.

Since 2022, Altavoz Lab has made many ambitious stories possible on a range of issues—from the obstacles faced by pregnant students in Puerto Rico and the realities of South Asians aging in place in California to the impacts of petrochemical pollution among Latino communities in Texas. All of these stories share a commitment to uncovering local problems and finding solutions to them. None of them could have been made without our funding and guidance.

We care about the person telling the story, and want to get a sense of what motivates you, makes you want to tell your particular story. Why do you want to see your project out in the world? When we review applications for either 2026 fellowship, we want to be able to understand not just the originality of your story idea and your commitment to your home community—we also want to imagine the positive impact your story can have. Can your reporting not just draw attention to an injustice but suggest possible homegrown solutions to it? Can you show us how you will experiment and be open-minded as you look for ways to share your story so it reaches the people, public officials and stakeholders?

Last but not least, we are invested in growing our Altavoz Lab community of local journalists so you can stay and thrive in this field–right where you live. This means that we look for fellows who are collaborative, open to new ideas and approaches. Tell us not just how Altavoz Lab will help you professionally, but how your presence in the cohort will help the collective.

If you are still wondering whether either the Community Journalist Fellowship or the Nick Oza Visual Fellowship is right for you, feel free to reach out to us with your questions. Good luck!

–Ruxandra Guidi, Altavoz Lab Fellowship Impact & Engagement Manager.

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