SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2025 — The San Francisco Press Club is pleased to announce the expansion of its scholarship program for promising young journalists.

Students in the Bay Area are now invited to apply for the “SF Press Club Emerging Journalist Scholarship.” This year, the Club will double the size of the program and award two $5,000 stipends for the fall 2025 semester to help ease the financial burdens facing students.

“The SF Press Club is proud to support the next generation of journalists and is asking for everyone’s support during this AI revolution,” said Curtis Sparrer, president of the San Francisco Press Club. “While AI is grabbing headlines, it cannot grab human insight. AI cannot build sources, ask follow-up questions, or provide the ethical judgment that quality reporting demands. That’s why investing in the next generation of journalists is more critical than ever.”

Qualifications:

Any undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a career in journalism at a Bay Area college or university is eligible to apply. Strong consideration will be given to students who represent historically-marginalized communities (people of color, LGBTQ+, religious minorities etc).

How to apply: 

Applicants must submit a resume, two published writing samples, and a photo by Sept. 2. Applicants may also submit a brief statement of financial need (no more than 150 words), outlining how the scholarship would aid their pursuit of a career in journalism.

Please email all materials to gardiner.dustin@gmail.com. Awardees will be notified in October and publicly honored on the Club’s website and at its annual winter awards gala on Dec. 9.

Sponsorship opportunities:

The Press Club is recruiting sponsors for its 2025 scholarship program and awards gala. For more information about partnership opportunities, please contact Curtis Sparrer at curtis@bospar.com.