John W. Dafoe Winnipeg Free Press Scholarship

RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic)

Get a $650 cash award and a newsroom internship for Indigenous or visible minority students interested in journalism.

Published by G Paul · last checked October 23, 2026

Total value

$650

Deadline

Nov 1, 2026

Open to

Manitoba

Apply on the official site ↗

What you will need

Brief resume
Several samples of your writing
350-word essay on your goals as an Indigenous or visible minority journalist

About this award

You will receive a $650 cash award and a newsroom internship during the Christmas break. As a scholarship, this money is yours to keep and you do not have to pay it back. This is for you if you are an Indigenous or visible minority student who wants to pursue a career in journalism. You must apply by 5 p.m. on November 1st. When you apply, ask Paul Samyn at the Winnipeg Free Press how and when you will hear back about your application. Selection criteria aren't published — ask RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) how winners are chosen and roughly how many applicants they typically receive so you can judge your odds. Ask RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) during your application how the money will reach you — some awards pay students directly, others apply funds to tuition. Confirm this so you can plan your cash flow. Renewal conditions aren't listed — if you're counting on this for multiple years, confirm with RRC Polytech (Red River College Polytechnic) whether it's one-time or renewable and what you need to maintain.

Who qualifies

You must be an Indigenous or visible minority student with an interest in pursuing journalism as a career.

This is what the award's official page said when we last checked. Rules change, so confirm on the award's official page before you apply.

Resident of Manitoba
Studying journalism

How to apply

Read the award's official page
Check you meet every requirement, and note each document they ask for.
Write your essay
Be specific about what you did and what changed because of it. Proofread it twice.
Submit your application
Save a copy, and submit at least a day before the deadline shown above.

Tips for applying

EssayAvoid writing a generic piece about why you like news. Instead, focus on your specific goals as an Indigenous or visible minority journalist. Use your 350-word limit to show your unique perspective on the industry.
SupportAvoid sending your materials without checking them for errors. Instead, ask your journalism instructor to review your writing samples. A clean portfolio shows you are ready for a professional newsroom.
RealismAvoid treating the internship as just a side project. Instead, recognize that this is a professional placement during your Christmas break. Plan your holiday schedule so you can fully commit to the newsroom experience.

Questions students ask

How do I apply?

Use the Apply on the official site button on this page: it opens the official application page in a new tab.

When is the deadline?

Applications close on November 1, 2026. Submit a day or two early: application sites get busy at the end.

Can international students apply?

Check the award's official page for the citizenship rules.

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FundMyCourse.ca · checked Oct 23, 2026