The Journalism Refugees Education Fund (JREF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational support to journalists and other media workers in exile and their loved ones who have resettled in the United States and Canada because of threats related to their work. As the world grows more hostile to the free press and more journalists and their co-workers are forced to flee, the number of journalism refugees is growing. They often are able to get assistance in getting to safety, but face a critical gap in services once they arrive.

JREF’s mission is to ensure that these individuals have the educational opportunities needed to rebuild their careers and lives, fostering a new generation of informed voices in their adopted communities.

Through our scholarship program, JREF offers financial assistance to cover a wide range of educational paths — from undergraduate and graduate degrees to training, certification programs and college English language classes. Twice a year, we open our scholarship application process, during which applicants undergo a rigorous selection process to identify those most qualified to receive a one-year scholarship. Students who meet our academic standards are welcome to reapply annually to extend their support as they progress through their programs.

Beyond financial aid, we provide critical non-financial support to help our students thrive academically and personally. A trained college counselor works closely with our recipients, guiding them through the complexities of admissions and financial aid applications.

This year, with the invaluable support of our donors, we expanded our program to serve 23 remarkable students from diverse backgrounds. Some of them were journalists in their home countries. Others worked as support staff for news organizations or are the spouses and children of media workers. In their educational pursuits here, some are journalists committed to getting a U.S. education so they can carry on their vital journalistic missions, while others are training in a range of fields from health care to business.

Looking forward, we are energized by our vision for 2025, which includes expanding our volunteer mentorship program, reaching more refugee media workers and ensuring our current students have the resources necessary to complete their education.

To learn more about the Journalism Refugees Education Fund, visit www.journalismref.org.

The Journalism Refugees Education Fund provides local or international news refugees with financial assistance to pursue educational opportunities. Donations to Local Media Foundation for this project are tax-deductible to the extent of the law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions. Please consult a tax advisor for details. The program is administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association.