CBC News summer scholarship for emerging journalists

CBC is proud to offer the CBC News Summer Scholarship in memory of Joan Donaldson and Peter Gzowski to aspiring journalists from across the country in 2025. The four-month, in-person program provides valuable hands-on experience in multiplatform news environments. The scholarship replaces and builds on the successes of two former CBC programs for emerging journalists — the Joan Donaldson Scholarship and the Peter Gzowski Internship — bringing them together in one program. 

The program is designed to give high-potential emerging journalists experience in both CBC News' national programming units in Toronto, as well as regional newsrooms across the country, setting them up for potential employment at CBC in the long term. 

The 2025 program will run from May 1 through August 31, 2025. May and June will be spent in Toronto at the CBC Broadcast Centre; July and August will be spent in a CBC regional station.

CBC provides a robust training program and ongoing mentorship to ensure scholars are properly supported during the program.

Who is eligible?

• Graduating post-secondary students (college or university) in their final year of study. (Applicants who have graduated in fall 2024, winter 2025, or will graduate in spring 2025 are eligible; students must have finished all classes and assignments by the start of the program on May 1, 2025).

• Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada.

• Candidates must be able to work on a full-time, in-person basis during the program.

• Candidates must be able to work at CBC after the scholarship ends, should there be an opportunity to do so.

• Formal journalism education is not required, however candidates must demonstrate they have journalism skills and experience.

• Candidates must possess a valid Canadian driver's licence as well as a driving record that meets the minimum requirements of CBC/Radio-Canada's insurance company.

What qualities are we looking for?

• A strong potential for producing journalism marked by curiosity, critical thinking, command of facts, understanding of context and clarity of expression.

• The ability to generate, pitch and pursue strong, original, creative story ideas.

• A curiosity about the world and a strong connection to and engagement in local communities.

• A willingness to learn and tackle new tasks across all CBC platforms (digital, audio, video, social, multiplatform).

• A commitment to upholding journalistic and ethical standards and to producing work that is fair, balanced, accurate and thoughtful. 

• A proven work ethic, strong communication skills and a positive, team-first attitude.

• Genuine interest in the ideals and practice of public interest journalism at the CBC, including an understanding of the importance of broadening the range of perspectives, experiences and points of view reflected in mainstream media.

• A strong desire to live and promote the values of an inclusive and respectful work culture.

• Ability to work in-person at CBC in Toronto for two months, and in-person in a regional CBC station for two months. 

• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours as required.

What work will scholars do?

Scholars will be placed at a CBC network program/unit, and then in a CBC regional station. The exact work will depend on those particular placements, but generally, scholars will participate in all aspects of newsgathering for digital, audio, video and social. Tasks could include:

• Pitching and chasing original story ideas

• Conducting research and interviews

• Gathering and editing audio and video

• Fact-checking, writing and packaging stories and scripts 

• Booking guests for live interviews

• Presenting material on-air/online

What are the potential placements?

In May and June, scholars will receive training and then be placed with a national program or unit in Toronto. In July and August, scholars will be placed in a regional station. You can read more about the placement areas here.

Who are Joan Donaldson and Peter Gzowski?

The scholarship is named in memory of Joan Donaldson and Peter Gzowski. You can learn more about their longstanding contributions to the CBC here: About Joan Donaldson, About Peter Gzowski.

Compensation details

• These are paid, full-time positions; compensation is approximately $23/hour.

• Scholars are eligible for benefits and accrue five vacation days by the end of the placement

• CBC will pay work-related travel costs, but scholars are responsible for their own accommodation and living expenses in both locations.

How to apply

Applications will be accepted on our recruiting website from Oct. 28, 2024, through to Nov. 24, 2024. Applications received outside this time frame will not be accepted.

What's the application process?

Step 1: Application period

Applications must be made via the job posting on our recruiting website. Hard-copy or emailed applications will not be accepted.

To be eligible to be considered, candidates must ensure they provide a single PDF that consists of the following items:

• A one-page cover letter that explains what you will bring to the program

• A one-page resume

• Three examples of your journalism work: Please provide links to your work, not the actual files. If you've worked in more than one medium make sure your examples reflect that range (ie. text, audio, video, interactive, etc). One of them should be an example of timely and topical coverage (breaking news, same-day turnaround, etc.). For each link, please write one sentence about why you chose to submit this piece.

Candidates will also be required to answer a series of questions on the application form to verify eligibility in the program and other competencies. Please be prepared to provide the name and contact information of a person who would be able to speak to your journalism skills. 

Step 2: Recommendation

CBC will review the applications and select the top qualified candidates to move forward in the process. For those candidates, we will contact your reference and ask them to answer questions about your skills, capabilities and potential. 

Step 3: Skills test

Candidates who move forward to this step will be given a short test to assess journalistic skills and potential. Candidates will be expected to do this test individually at a time that fits your schedule, and you will complete it without the help of specialized software or other tools. All candidates will be given the same test to ensure fairness and equity. This test will be assessed anonymously — the selection panel will not know which candidate did which test — to reduce the potential for bias. 

Step 4: Interview

Candidates who move forward to this step will participate in a 45-minute virtual interview. This will be a panel interview (2-3 interviewers) and you will be asked questions so we can get to know you better. The previous steps in the process are about assessing your skills and experience; the interview is about explaining how you work, how you use critical thinking, how you tackle challenges, etc. 

Step 5: Background check

As part of its recruitment process, CBC/Radio-Canada requires that background checks are conducted for all employees. Background checks will be completed for candidates who are offered a scholarship. There is no charge to you for these background checks.

Step 6: Offer

Candidates who are selected for the scholarship will be contacted with the details. Unsuccessful candidates will be contacted and provided feedback, as well as information on other potential opportunities at CBC.

Questions? Contact NewsScholarship@cbc.ca.