2025 applications open on 3 March
Scholarship Overview
If you are passionate about audio journalism, this scholarship offers an excellent opportunity to develop your skills in a fast-paced newsroom environment.
Newly created in 2025 by ARN Media, Australia’s leading audio-led news and entertainment company, with the Walkley Foundation, the ARN Audio Scholarship offers an early-career journalist the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in a busy commercial newsroom, including in radio and podcasts.
Supported with a $10,000 stipend, the successful applicant will get an exceptional opportunity to learn from commercial newsroom leaders and sharpen their writing, reporting, producing, presenting and podcasting skills.
Judges will look for applicants with a passion for commercial news and entertainment stories.
There are ARN newsrooms around Australia and the successful applicant has options for a regional or metro placement, or a mix of both.
The 2025 winner will receive:
- 10-week placement in one of ARN’s newsrooms located around Australia, consisting of:
- Introduction to FM news, including top audio brands KIIS and Gold
- Introduction to our iHeart news podcast “Your News Now”
- Observe sourcing and reporting of breaking news
- Learn how local newsrooms connect with communities
- Write news bulletins in the commercial style
- Gather interviews and cut audio grabs
- Develop skills for using social media in a newsroom
- Record news bulletins for your portfolio
- A stipend of $10,000 to support travel to the ARN location, living expenses and accommodation for the duration of the scholarship.
Application fee
Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, there is no cost to enter this program.
What you will need to submit
Information you will need to complete your application includes:
- A copy of your current CV – maximum 2 pages, PDF format.
- A 50-word biography about yourself.
- A current headshot photo in JPG or PNG format.
- THREE examples of your journalistic work. TWO of these examples should be audio, if possible, though this isn’t essential. The third can be any format, including social media.
- Note: if your story is behind a paywall or requires registration, you will need to upload it as a file, in the form of an audio MP3, a video MP4 or PDF document
- A reference from someone who can describe your interest and experience in journalism and how the ARN Audio Scholarship will benefit your career
Selection Criteria and Terms and Conditions
Read the full Selection Criteria and Terms and Conditions before starting your application.
How to apply
Before you apply, please read the Selection Criteria and Terms & Conditions.
Then click here to begin your application. The form includes questions about why you are applying and how the scholarship will benefit your career. You can save your progress and return to the form later.
