Running a business has never been easy, but in 2025, entrepreneurs face a landscape that’s more complex, competitive, and fast-changing than ever. While small businesses remain the backbone of the U.S. economy – employing nearly half of the country’s workforce – they are navigating a host of challenges that threaten their growth and survival.
To help journalists covering business in their communities, the National Press Foundation is creating four days of exclusive briefings with economists, small business owners and other top experts to dive into the business infrastructure across America today and what policies and practices fuel stability and innovative growth for companies large and small.
Apply to NPF’s Local Business Journalism Fellowship, scheduled for September 15-18, 2025 in Washington, D.C., by Aug. 18, 11:59 PM ET
Application Deadline: Aug. 18, 2025
This is tuition-free training, and NPF will cover airfare, hotel costs and some meals, with sponsorship from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Thirty-five journalists from local journalism outlets will be accepted to the program.
Topics to be explored may include:
- A crash course in business journalism techniques and best practices
- The latest on tariffs and U.S. manufacturing/supply chains for U.S. businesses
- Workforce shortages, including the impacts of immigration and AI
- How declines in tourism affect local businesses
- The next generation of entrepreneurship and innovation
- Navigating the food chain of local restaurants and agricultural sources
This competitive program is open to U.S.-based journalists only.
Attendance is mandatory for all sessions, and by providing a letter of recommendation, editors commit to freeing their reporters from newsroom obligations during the training.
We greatly value diversity in all our programs and particularly seek applications from journalists of color, those reporting in news deserts and reporters for local and nonprofit news organizations. Journalists from any-sized newsroom in any medium are welcome to apply, as well as freelancers. Freelance applicants should have a letter from an editor indicating an interest in publishing work that may be informed by this training.
Speakers will be added to this page as they are confirmed.
This fellowship is sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as part of a journalism training and award program. The National Press Foundation is solely responsible for its content.
