The Midwest Newsroom News Fellow

The Midwest Newsroom is awarding one full-time 12-month reporting fellowship. The Fellow will be an employee of Iowa Public Radio and stationed at their Des Moines newsroom on a hybrid schedule.

We’re looking for a journalist who will amplify voices that often go unheard, dig for answers and craft compelling narratives for audio and digital audiences. The job will combine investigative and accountability projects and short-term stories based on partner needs.

Based at KCUR 89.3 in Kansas City, we are a partnership between NPR and member stations to provide investigative journalism and enterprise reporting for audiences in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The goal of the fellowship program is to broaden the range of backgrounds, experiences and interests within journalism, where a variety of perspectives is critically important.

The partners in this collaboration are Iowa Public Radio, KCUR and St. Louis Public Radio in Missouri, Nebraska Public Media and NPR. We work closely with NPR, Harvest Public Media and the Kansas News Service.

You will receive an excellent benefits package, including health benefits, a retirement plan with a 2-to-1 employer match, immediate accrual of vacation (16 hours monthly) and sick (12 hours monthly) time and a flexible work environment.

The Midwest Newsroom Fellowship will provide this reporter with time and space to pursue stories of their own and report assigned stories for our partner newsrooms. The grant funding this fellowship will cover the attendance of a journalism conference.

The Fellow will have the opportunity to learn or enhance their skills in:

• Audio reporting
• Data journalism
• Public records
• Writing for multiple platforms
• Social media storytelling

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current students are ineligible to apply.
• At least 1 year of experience (including internships) working in a professional newsroom environment.
• Demonstrated ability to generate story ideas.
• Ability to identify stories that will amplify voices that often go unheard, dig for answers and craft compelling narratives for audio and digital audiences.
• Keen interest in telling stories throughout Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas.
• A valid state-issued driver’s license and reliable transportation and ability to travel.
• Bilingual in Spanish or other language proficiency helpful but not required.

• Radio experience is helpful but not required. We will provide training.

SALARY: $42,000 per year

APPLICATION PROCESS:

IPR will accept applications through 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 9, 2026.

Apply through the position link on the IPR website.

For full consideration, applications must include:

• Cover letter, which should include
  • Why you want this Fellowship
  • How this Fellowship fits in with your professional goals
  • Tell us: If you could pick a beat, theme, or coverage area to focus on for this fellowship, what would it be and why?
• Resume
• Story Pitch
  • Tell us about a story you might do as a Fellow with The Midwest Newsroom
  • Be sure to include:
    • What the story is, in no more than two sentences
      • What is the key question you are seeking to answer and/or what is the key finding you want to impart?
    • Who is the audience for this story?
    • What impact do you think this story could have?
    • What data and public records would you seek out?
    • Have you done any initial research or reporting on this story?

NOTE: Pitching does not lock you into doing that story, nor does it imply The Midwest Newsroom will greenlight the story. We simply want to learn how you think about the process. We will not take your story and do our own based on your work.

Employment at Iowa Public Radio is dependent upon successful completion of a criminal background check including a driving record review and reference checks.

OUR VALUES:

• Integrity: We maintain the highest standards of journalism, providing trustworthy and relevant content with meaningful context.
• Curiosity: We serve an inquisitive audience by asking questions, seeking knowledge, and exploring new ideas.
• Belonging: We strive to reflect Iowa’s cultural complexity by offering a supportive, equitable space for individuals and communities to tell the stories unique to their lived experiences.
• Respect: We create a culture of respect for our audience, sources, and staff.
• Innovation: We support creativity and embrace new ways of serving our audience.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:

Iowa Public Radio is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin or sex is prohibited. If you believe you have been a victim of discrimination, please notify the appropriate local, state or federal agency.

Questions? You can email Managing Editor Holly Edgell: hollyedgell@kcur.org