Become a Fellow at The Argument
An opportunity to publish, debate, and grow with The Argument’s editorial team.
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of The Argument Fellowship, a yearlong, full-time program designed to train the next generation of opinion journalists. This new initiative from The Argument, in partnership with Johns Hopkins University’s School of Government and Policy, combines rigorous editorial mentorship with high-level discussions on politics, policy, and culture.
If you’re an early-career writer eager to learn how to make persuasive, idea-driven journalism — and help advance the case for liberalism — this is for you. If you know someone who might be a good fit, please share this post.
Program Overview
Based in The Argument’s Washington, D.C., newsroom, fellows will work closely with editors to develop the skills, discipline, and intellectual range needed to succeed in opinion journalism.
Over the course of the year, fellows will:
Receive hands-on editorial mentorship and feedback from senior editors
Participate in monthly lectures at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center, featuring leading journalists, scholars, and practitioners
Produce a steady stream of published work, learning to pitch, report, and refine ideas into polished commentary
Engage in workshops on interviewing, data literacy, story framing, and self-editing
Each fellow will be assigned to one of four focus areas:
Abundance and economic policy
Gender, families, and culture
Technology and society
Polling and political analysis
Who Should Apply
We’re looking for early-career writers — typically with one to two years of professional or academic experience — who are eager to develop as opinion journalists. You might be a recent graduate or someone working in a field like housing, energy, tech, or policy who wants to translate that expertise into journalism.
Ideal candidates will have:
Strong writing and analytical skills
Curiosity about politics, policy, and culture
The ability to synthesize complex ideas clearly and persuasively
An openness to feedback and collaboration
A demonstrated interest in public debate and persuasion
You don’t need prior newsroom experience — just the drive to think critically, write clearly, and engage deeply with ideas.
Compensation and Details
Location: Downtown Washington, D.C. (in-person)
Duration: January to December 2026
Salary: $50,000 annual salary
Benefits: Health care coverage included
How to Apply
Email jobs@theargumentmag.com with the subject line:
“The Argument Fellowship Application — [Your Name]”
Please include:
Resume
Cover letter (explain why you’re a good fit, rank preferred focus areas, and share two story ideas with reporting plans)
One to two writing samples that demonstrate analytical or argumentative skill
Two to three references
Two pieces of content that you’ve valued even though you disagreed with them (article, podcast, book, art, movie…)
Applications open Oct. 29, 2025, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis through late December.
Work Test
Short-listed candidates will complete a paid work test assessing writing, analytical, and editorial judgment skills. You will have 90 minutes to complete a short brief based on provided materials — designed to see how you think, argue, and write under deadline.