California Health Equity Fellowship

California Health Equity Fellowship is sponsored by USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism. Supports journalists investigating and exploring health issues across California, aiming to illuminate inequities and promote change.

California Health Equity Fellowship | USC Center for Health Journalism Health Equity & Social Justice Healthcare Systems & Policy Community & Public Health California Health Equity Fellowship Upcoming fellowship dates Our California Fellowship is designed to support reporters in the Golden State pursuing ambitious, enterprising projects on overlooked health and health equity issues.

You decide what stories need to be told in your community to improve health outcomes and we work to support you. Fellows join us for a busy few days of in-person training and discussion on the USC Annenberg campus, where they learn from nationally renowned health experts, policy analysts and community health leaders, from top journalists in the field, and from each other.

That’s followed by ongoing mentoring and virtual meetings to support Fellows across the finish line. Our program places strong emphasis on the ways in which environmental and community conditions can influence how long and how well we live.

The program helps fellows craft projects that engage communities from the start, and shares hard-won insights on how to land big projects that deliver maximum impact on the health and well-being of communities.

Admitted Fellows receive: A $2,000-$10,000 grant to help with reporting costs In-person intensive training Five months of professional mentorship Fellows also are eligible to apply for five months of professional mentorship in engaged journalism and $1,000-$2,000 to support those creative efforts. Reporting themes we support We embrace a broad view of health which doesn’t just happen at clinics and hospitals.

Health is shaped by our environment — our schools, our neighborhoods and our communities. We support journalists and journalism built around that vision.

Here are a few broad reporting themes we support in Fellowship proposals: Systemic racism and the root causes of health inequities How food insecurity, economic stability and meeting basic needs can influence health and well-being for families or communities How well justice systems, schools or health systems serve families or communities – and who is left out or disproportionately harmed Housing insecurity in California – the scope of the problem and potential solutions Accountability journalism on whether healthcare and social welfare systems are serving populations in need Interested in applying?

The application deadline for 2026 has passed. If you would like to apply for 2027, please fill out the contact form below and someone from our Center will reach out to you. Frequently Asked Questions Sign-up for our newsletter as well for updates and deadlines for future opportunities to apply.

Don’t see your question answered there? Reach out to us at chj@usc. edu .

Elevating voices not often heard in mainstream media Arcenio López, a former farmworker turned nonprofit leader, turned to journalism to raise the profile and needs of Indigenous migrant farmworkers in California during COVID. The Center's Fellowship program helped him get those urgent stories published.