Journalists in Residence Program Frequently Asked Questions
The Stigler Center welcomes your questions about our Journalists in Residence Program.
Below are answers to the questions we hear most often. If your questions aren’t answered here, email us to ask.
Applicants are notified of decisions by the end of December. Given the volume of applications we receive, we're unable to share updates or specific feedback before that date, so we appreciate your patience during the review process.
Yes, editors and freelancers are welcome to apply and we regularly host them in the program.
Submit articles that are indicative of your best work. Articles on political economy and Stigler-related topics are strongly preferred even if not required. If your articles do not directly address or touch on political economy, we encourage you to make the connection or highlight your interest or aspirations in the personal statement on the application.
Strong applicants have at least a few years of post-degree working experience in the field.
Basic knowledge of economics and accounting is useful but not required. Courses are likely to be more challenging if you don’t have a basic background in economics.
Partners or dependents may accompany you, though the program is designed to support individual participants only. We are unable to advise on or provide support for partner or dependents' travel, housing, or insurance — all associated costs and arrangements are the participant's sole responsibility.
Participants audit three classes at Booth during the program. You can visit the course search page to view all upcoming Chicago Booth courses, though future course schedules may not be available until closer to the relevant academic year. Not all courses are available for auditing, as availability may depend on seats available, prerequisites, and permissions.
We’re happy to offer suggestions, but you’re free to choose your Booth classes based on the permission of the instructor and availability of seats in the class. Note that some courses may require prerequisites or additional permissions; we will communicate these to accepted applicants directly.
Please visit the course search page to view all upcoming Chicago Booth courses. Future course schedules may not be available until closer to the relevant academic year. Not all courses are available for auditing, as availability may depend on seats available, prerequisites, and permissions.
Yes. Due to required University payroll documentation and standard processing timelines, stipend disbursement can take up to one month after the program begins to process. You should plan to have sufficient personal funds (approx. USD $3,000-5,000) available to cover living expenses (housing, food, transportation, etc.) during that initial period.
Yes. For international participants, the stipend is subject to tax withholding of 14 percent, depending on the tax treaty between your country and the United States. Please consult your country’s tax treaty for more information.
Yes, but be aware that the program has a heavy workload. In addition to sitting in on classes and completing all course assignments, you’ll also be required to attend weekly Stigler-organized seminars, lunch workshops, events, and social activities, which make for a very full schedule.
Yes. Health insurance is mandatory for all participants for the duration of the program. You can either enroll in the University of Chicago's Student Health Insurance Plan (U-SHIP) or provide proof of your own equivalent existing coverage.
If you enroll in U-SHIP, the cost is deducted from your program stipend. Rates change each year, so please see the U-SHIP page for current pricing and coverage details.
You may waive U-SHIP enrollment if you can provide proof of comparable coverage. Please see the U-SHIP page for waiver requirements and what qualifies as equivalent coverage.
International participants are usually issued J-1 visas.
Yes. One of the goals of the program is to bring together journalists from around the world, so we encourage participants to network, share ideas, work as a cohort, and collaborate, even if informally.
Yes, you can write for the digital publication, but you are not required to.
Participants receive a certificate of participation. Your host institution will decide whether the program can be recognized as continuing education. However, completion of the program does not confer a university or MBA degree.
We encourage you to share your experiences in the program. However, you are prohibited from claiming to have earned an MBA or university degree as a result of having participated in this program. We recommend you cite it as “The University of Chicago Booth School of Business - Stigler Center, Journalists in Residence Program (Program Year).”
No, journalists working in all forms of media are welcome to apply.