We’re thrilled to open applications for the second cohort of The Argument Fellowship, a yearlong, full-time program designed to train the next generation of opinion journalists.
Fellows in our program learn to pitch, report, and write on a dedicated beat under the guidance of our senior editorial staff. They participate in regular lectures and workshops with leading thinkers and practitioners.
This year, our fellows Kobe Yank-Jacobs, Maibritt Henkel, and Milan Singh probed topics like nationalizing AI labs, factionalism in the Democratic Party, and how we should interpret the U.S. fertility rate. Beyond the written word, they livestreamed interviews with thought leaders and produced videos on our core coverage areas.
In workshops throughout the year, our fellows learned from government professor Hans Noel on the evolution of political parties, legal scholar David Schleicher on reporting about housing policy, economist Michael Clemens on immigration, reporter Rachel Cohen Booth on building a career in journalism, and economist Oliver Kim on global development (to name a few).
If you’re an early career writer who is excited by these kinds of questions, opportunities, and debates, this opportunity 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:
Produce a regular volume of published work, learning to pitch, report, and refine ideas into polished commentary.
Co-author our Sunday post, The Closing Argument.
Participate in events such as Substack Live conversations.
Produce social and video multimedia content.
Receive hands-on editorial mentorship and feedback from senior editors.
Participate in regular lectures featuring leading journalists, scholars, and practitioners.
Engage in workshops on interviewing, data literacy, story framing, and self-editing.
Each fellow will be assigned one or more focus areas, like:
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: Washington, D.C. (in-person)
Duration: January to December 2027
Salary: $50,000 per year
Benefits: Healthcare coverage support 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 your 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, movie, or other piece of art)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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. This is designed to evaluate how you think, argue, and write under deadline.