IJA-AAJA Pacific Islander Scholarship
The Indigenous Journalists Association and the Asian American Journalists Association have partnered to offer the Pacific Islander Journalism Scholarship to up to two Pacific Islander journalists each year.
The purpose of the scholarship is to improve news media representation of Pasifika peoples, particularly within the U.S. and U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands. Applicants should show a commitment to journalism and storytelling that would strengthen news coverage and representation of Indigenous peoples of the Pacific, particularly Polynesians, Micronesians and Melanesians.
Up to two scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded in 2025. Scholarship recipients will also receive one-year student memberships to IJA and AAJA, further connecting them with professional networks and resources in the journalism community.
Scholarship funds can be used for a variety of career-advancing purposes, including:
Covering salary and related expenses for students undertaking summer internships at news organizations.
Subsidizing tuition for students pursuing higher education with the intent to enter the journalism field.
Paying off student loan balances for journalists currently working in the news industry.
Supporting professional development and training opportunities.
Given the flexibility of funding, applicants should specify how they plan to use the funds in alignment with the scholarship’s mission.
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are closed.
To support this initiative, tax-deductible donations can be made via IJA. Donors should include a note specifying that contributions are intended for the Pacific Islander Journalists Scholarship.
Questions may be directed to IJA Education Manager Sheena Roetman-Wynn at sroetman@naja.com.