What Is The Stone & Holt Weeks Fellowship?
The Fellowship was created in memory of Stone and Holt Weeks by NPR and The Washington Post following their tragic deaths. Designed to give a promising individual the opportunity to launch a career in journalism, the fellowship consists of two sessions: 12 weeks atThe Washington Post followed by 12 weeks at NPR in Washington, to learn how to report for print, web and radio.

What Will I Learn?
The Fellow will learn about the role of journalism in "making the world a better place." He or she will get broad exposure to the relationship between journalism and public education, citizenship, social change and democracy, and will learn that a major aim of journalism, as expressed a century ago by author Finley Peter Dunne, is "to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." The intent is to be educational and experiential, with the Fellow publishing original stories and other news content at The Washington Post, and then learning the craft of journalism NPR-style, getting on the air, online and out in the field. The Fellow will learn the skills and the craft of reporting from the very best at both institutions.

Who Is Eligible For The Fellowship?
Anyone who will have received a bachelor's degree by July 15, 2012, is eligible to apply for the fellowship. Individuals with additional education and experience are of course also welcome to apply. While a demonstrated appetite for journalism is desired, there is no specific requirement for a journalism degree or experience as a journalist.

How Do I Apply?
Download and complete the application form. Be sure to read this document carefully and include all required materials with your application.

What Are The Deadlines?
Applications must be postmarked on or before April 30, 2012. Finalists will be notified in early June and invited to travel to Washington for an interview with the fellowship committee. (Travel costs for the interview will be paid by NPR and The Washington Post.) The selected candidate will be notified by the end of June and asked to confirm his or her commitment early in July. The fellowship begins after Labor Day.

What If I Have More Questions?
More information about the Stone & Holt Weeks Fellowship can be found in this FAQ.

Who Are Stone & Holt Weeks?

Stone and Holt Weeks were brothers and best friends. They were victims in a tragic highway crash in the summer of 2009. Stone was 24. Holt was 20.

They were extraordinary, focused young men committed to doing great work – in history, public policy and environmental issues. They were insatiably curious, ambitious, wildly fun-loving and dedicated to making the world a better place. They had a keen social conscience and were enthusiastic volunteers for good causes. They were, as the National Journal said, "devoted to helping less fortunate people and fixing our troubled world." Their passion for up-to-the-minute news was inspired and informed by an equal passion for history and politics. This fellowship is to celebrate their brief, brilliant lives – and to honor what might have been – by giving someone this enormous opportunity to launch a career in journalism.

Their father, Linton Weeks, is a reporter at NPR and spent nearly two decades at The Washington Post. Their mother, Jan Taylor Weeks, is an artist, teacher, and volunteer. In recognition of Stone and Holt, and of Linton's lifelong service as a journalist and storyteller, NPR and The Washington Post joined together to create this unique fellowship.

Learn more about The Stone & Holt Weeks Foundation.