Knight-Cronkite Alumni Innovation Grant Application Deadline Is Feb. 15

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is taking applications for the Knight-Cronkite Alumni Innovation Grant, which awards up to $15,000 to Cronkite graduates who are professional journalists looking to pioneer cutting-edge technologies and practices in their newsrooms. The grant, made possible by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is available to Cronkite School alumni as a way to accelerate newsroom innovation across the country. The application deadline for the next grant period is Feb. 15. The application is available at https://cronkite.asu.edu/cronkite-accepting-applicants-knight-innovation-grant. Finalists will be announced during the spring 2015 semester. To be eligible, applicants must be Cronkite School graduates who are working in a newsroom. They must also have support from their news organizations and a commitment to implement the proposal within six months of the development period’s conclusion. Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibargüen announced the Knight-Cronkite Alumni Innovation program during the Cronkite School’s May 2014 convocation ceremony. Ibargüen pledged $250,000 from Knight Foundation, challenging Cronkite graduates to disrupt the status quo in newsrooms. In November 2014, the Cronkite School awarded inaugural grants to National Journal correspondent Weston Phippen and Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting Executive Director Brandon Quester. Both alumni received $15,000 grants. Cronkite School Dean Christopher Callahan said he has been impressed with the range of innovative ideas in the grant proposals submitted by alumni. “Our outstanding alumni are leaders and trailblazers in newsrooms around the world,” he said. “I encourage our alumni to apply for the Knight-Cronkite Innovation Grant and share their ideas on how they can disrupt and improve journalism.” About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. www.knightfoundation.org