CalMatters Welcomed New Student Journalism Fellows
A cohort of twelve student journalists gathered in Sacramento to begin their 2026-27 fellowship term.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Civic Engagement
CalMatters has officially welcomed its 2026-27 College Journalism Network fellowship cohort. The twelve selected students recently completed a two-day kickoff event in Sacramento.
Why it matters
The program seeks to bolster higher education journalism by providing support and professional opportunities to developing reporters across California. It aims to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world policy coverage.
The fellowship, which began in 2019, has expanded to include 12 student journalists for the 2026-27 term. Participants were selected from universities across California to report on state policy.
The players
CalMatters
This is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization dedicated to explaining California policy and politics to the public.
The details
During their two-day kickoff in Sacramento, the fellows met with various experts and officials to prepare for their upcoming reporting assignments. Throughout the academic year, the students are expected to explore complex policy themes including artificial intelligence, digital privacy, and the ongoing student housing crisis.
Timeline
The College Journalism Network program began in 2019.
The fellowship term runs for the 2026-27 academic year.
Fellows will host VotingMatters events on college campuses in fall 2026.
Political Context
This fellowship expansion follows the pattern set by the 2019 launch of the College Journalism Network by formalizing the annual cohort recruitment and training process. Critics of similar media initiatives often argue that university-based reporting programs may face pressure to align with the institutional interests of their partner organizations or host campuses.
Residents can expect to see increased student-led coverage of state policy impacts in their local news outlets throughout the academic year. These reports will provide unique perspectives on legislative issues that directly affect the cost of living and housing accessibility for Californians.
The takeaway
Students interested in careers in public-interest media should monitor upcoming application windows for similar state-level reporting opportunities. Engaging with student journalists can provide readers with deeper insights into how complex state policies translate into everyday life on California campuses.
What happens next
The fellows are scheduled to host a series of VotingMatters events on college campuses throughout the fall of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local efforts to improve transparency and voter turnout in the Civic Engagement section.
