SPJ26 Conference Freelancer Grants
Forecasted
SPJ26 Conference Freelancer Grants support freelance SPJ members attending the Society’s annual conference, funding access to programming and events that foster their professional development.
Funder: Society of Professional Journalists
Due Dates (Anticipated): August 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Cash grants of up to $500, plus a ticket to the SPJ Foundation reception
Summary: Grants help freelance SPJ members attend the Society’s annual conference and participate in programming for independent journalists.
Key Information: Applicants must be professional, post-graduate or retired SPJ members earning at least 25% of their income from freelance journalism.
Description
The SPJ Foundation Freelance Fund offers conference grants to help freelance members attend the Society of Professional Journalists’ annual gathering. The 2026 grants supported attendance at SPJ26 in Columbus, Ohio, where the SPJ Freelance Community organized programs for independent and freelance journalists. Recipients could also take part in other conference events and attend the SPJ Foundation reception.
Established in 2021, the Freelance Fund supports educational and professional development opportunities that independent journalists might otherwise be unable to pursue. These conference grants focus on access to SPJ’s annual gathering; the fund also supports other freelance journalism opportunities through separate activities.
