By Rowan Glass
Remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads—whatever term its practicers choose to call themselves, this category of work has been on a swift ascent since the COVID-19 pandemic encouraged workers across various industries to give up 9–5 office work in exchange for the freedom of remote work. In the digital age, there are numerous jobs that no longer require one’s physical presence in an office cubicle. Instead, those with the means to work online can do so anywhere with a computer and an internet connection. Those who choose to travel while working remotely have given rise to the “digital nomad” phenomenon, tailoring their lifestyle to the freedom of mobility enabled by online jobs.
While many fellowship programs are residential or require fellows to be in certain places physically, others are entirely remote and online, making them excellent choices for remote workers, freelancers, and digital nomads who want to prioritize mobility over ties to particular places. In this list of 10 fellowships for freelancers and digital nomads, you’ll discover some of the best fellowship options available for those who want the professional opportunities of fellowships without the sacrifices to mobility that some can entail. This list includes opportunities for applicants across a range of professions and at different stages of their careers.
The fellowships listed below may have specific degree requirements and may have some in-person components. Bookmark them to your free ProFellow account to conveniently save all the details.
Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship
The first three opportunities in this list are for freelance journalists, an expanding niche in the journalism world. Freelance journalists often travel to pursue in-depth reporting or to develop region-specific beats, making fellowships like the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship great options for freelance journalists who need to retain their mobility while working online.
The Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program supports a rising generation of serious and enterprising journalists. This prestigious, year-long program allows writers early in their careers to pursue projects they otherwise would be unable to research and report. Each Novak Fellowship provides $35,000 in grant money and expense assistance. Working print and online journalists with fewer than 10 years of professional experience are eligible to apply. This includes freelance and part-time journalists. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship
Another great option for freelance journalists is the Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship. Although this fellowship does include a week-long intensive seminar in New York City, this fellowship is open to freelancers from around the work and working across all types of media.
The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship is a unique seminar program for senior and mid-career journalists who wish to deepen their knowledge of emotional trauma and psychological injury and improve reporting on violence, conflict, and tragedy. Fellows attend an intensive weeklong seminar program held at Columbia University in New York City. Program activities include briefings by prominent interdisciplinary experts in the trauma and mental health fields, conversations with journalist colleagues on issues of ethics, craft, and practice, and various other opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning. The Ochberg Fellowships are open to outstanding journalists from any part of the world working across all media. Both staff journalists and freelancers are welcome to apply.
Tarbell Fellowship For Early Career Journalists
Last among the freelance journalism fellowships is the Tarbell Fellowship For Early Career Journalists, a one-year, fully remote fellowship open to freelancers interested in emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence.
The Tarbell Fellowship for Early Career Journalists is a one-year, remote fellowship opportunity to do great journalism, covering emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI) topics. Fellows receive a stipend of up to $50,000 to support 9-month placements at major publications and independent freelance reporting. The program incorporates expert speakers, feedback & mentorship from experienced journalists, extensive training on AI, and a two-week, fully covered journalism summit in Oxford.
Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs
Moving into the field of social entrepreneurship, the Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs is a great fellowship option for early-career young professionals interested in addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Yunus & Youth Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs is a customized 6-month remote fellowship that empowers young professionals to build, develop, and expand innovative and economically viable social businesses that contribute to achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Yunus & Youth provides early-stage social business leaders with the tools and training they need to succeed. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age and hold primary decision-making power in organizations that solve social or sustainability challenges in their community.
Harrison Middleton University Fellowship in Ideas
At a time when most remote fellowships are in the sciences or professional fields, it’s good to know that options in the humanities are still available. The HMU Fellowship in Ideas is a fully remote writing and discussion fellowship for recent graduates in any field with an interest in the humanities.
The HMU Fellowship in Ideas is a writing and discussion fellowship in the humanities designed for a recent university graduate from any field interested in the humanities, interdisciplinary dialogue, and intellectual and professional enrichment. Except for conference attendance, all HMU Fellowship in Ideas activities may be carried out remotely from any location with adequate telephone and internet access. Applicants must have received a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in any field. Benefits include a $500 stipend, online Socratic discussions, and publication in the HMU blog.
OMNI Institute Research Fellowship Program
While some remote workers may wish to pursue fellowship opportunities with a professional orientation, remote fellowships are also available for those interested in research and academia. The OMNI Institute offers a remote-flexible research fellowship for recent graduates interested in social sciences research and evaluation in the continental US.
OMNI Institute seeks applicants for an annual Research Assistant Fellowship. Applicants identifying as people of color or LGBTQ+ are encouraged to apply for this position. This fellowship is specifically designed for recent undergraduates with a BA/BS degree and a passion for solving pressing social challenges. OMNI hires three fellows for a two-year interactive program where they will work on client projects as Research Assistants and experience career development opportunities. This is an entry-level position in the field of social sciences research and evaluation. The annual salary for this full-time position is $50,000 plus full benefits. This is a remote-flexible position within the continental US states.
MJ Bear Fellowship
Another journalism opportunity, the MJ Bear Fellowship, is a fully remote program ideal for young digital journalists from around the world. It does feature an in-person annual conference but with all expenses paid and other industry perks.
The MJ Bear Fellowship identifies and supports digital journalists under 30 whose work represents the best of digital news. Six fellows from around the world who are up-and-coming journalists and leading innovative digital journalism projects participate in the yearlong, primarily remote fellowship program. Program components include a speaking opportunity at ONA’s annual conference (with an expenses-paid trip), coaching sessions, complimentary membership to ONA for three years, and other opportunities to showcase work and expertise with the ONA community and broader industry.
Bellingcat Tech Fellowship
The open-source investigative journalism platform Bellingcat recently introduced two fully remote fellowship opportunities in tech and technical writing. The first is a great option for independent technologists interested in developing innovative new software in collaboration with Bellingcat’s Investigative Tech Team.
The Bellingcat Tech Fellowship Program seeks motivated, independent technologists with the skills to develop a tool of their interest for the open-source investigator community. You will apply with a tool development pitch and a description of how you plan to implement your idea within two to six months. If selected, you will then define and agree on specific milestones together with Bellingcat’s Investigative Tech Team. Bellingcat’s Tech Fellowship is designed with a degree of flexibility, taking into account the complexities of developing such tools. You can work remotely and at your own pace. Fellows will receive a stipend of 1,000 Euros per month during their fellowship.
Bellingcat Technical Writing Fellowship
The second new Bellingcat fellowship is for technical writing. This program is ideal for freelance writers, researchers, and content creators interested in developing an open-source tool of their own choice.
The Bellingcat Technical Writing Fellowship program is looking for fellows who have an idea for improving the usability of open-source methods and tools through documentation or writing. This opportunity is not just targeted at technical writers, but writers of all stripes, illustrators, user researchers, videographers, or anyone with an idea for making open-source tools easier to learn and more accessible. Send a proposal for a project you are enthusiastic about working on. Each project should last two-to-six months, and you can work on it however it suits you. You can work remotely.
Morgridge Acceleration Program Fellowship
The last fellowship on this list is ideal for remote workers who already hold a full-time job and are interested in learning from nonprofit executes to gain professional skills and networks. Fellows will devote 90 hours throughout this fully funded program to solving a challenge posed by their mentor.
The Morgridge Acceleration Program (MAP) Fellowship matches nonprofit executives, called MAP Mentors, with emerging leaders, called MAP Fellows, looking to create a positive impact while developing professional skill sets and networks. MAP Mentors commit to sharing their expertise, industry knowledge, and professional network with their MAP fellows during the program. Fellows remain in their current, full-time jobs while dedicating approximately 15 hours a month, or 90 hours throughout the program, toward solving a challenge posed by their mentor. All expenses and experiences associated with the MAP Fellowship are fully funded.
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Rowan Glass is an anthropologist, multimedia journalist, writer, and filmmaker from Oregon. His research, reporting, and travels have taken him from Indigenous territories in Colombia and Mexico to primary schools in Senegal, Kurdish restaurants in Greece, and music festivals in Morocco. In all his work, Rowan endeavors to help tell engaging stories about underreported people and places through incisive research and creative endeavors. Whether at a keyboard or behind a camera, at home or in the field, Rowan is always looking for the next chance to apply his skills to both creative and socially impactful ends. Rowan holds a BA in cultural anthropology from the University of Oregon and is currently applying to PhD programs in anthropology.
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