CSIS Journalism Bootcamp
The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)’s Journalism Bootcamp aims to provide aspiring journalists and international relations students with practical experience in Washington, D.C., centered around multimedia reporting on international affairs in a volatile media landscape.
During the week-long bootcamp, students will work with the CSIS’s award-winning production studio, the iDeas Lab, its expert scholars, and a network of prominent practitioners to report on timely issues and acquire new skills that allow them to diversify their storytelling.
This spring break in March 2026, 10 undergraduate KU students from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications and/or the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board will be selected to participate based on the quality of their applications.
Flight, hotel, and most meals will be provided for the students. Students must be available to travel to D.C. during KU’s spring break; travel dates will be March 14-21.
Application Information
Students interested in applying for this opportunity should review all of the information below and submit a completed application by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025. Please be aware that the recommendation survey, for which you provide contact information for your reference, is also due by the deadline. A total of 10 KU students will be selected to take part in the trip.
Eligibility
The CSIS Journalism Bootcamp is open to undergraduate students at the University of Kansas who are either (1) seeking a degree from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, or (2) an active member of the Dole Institute of Politics Student Advisory Board (SAB).
To be considered a degree-seeking student from the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications, you must (a) be enrolled in a minimum of two credit hours of courses offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and (b) have declared a major and/or a minor offered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communications prior to submitting your application.
To be considered an active SAB member, you must have (a) attended at least one SAB Meeting, (b) volunteered at a program at least once, and (c) completed the SAB Membership Form prior to submitting your application.
Students must be available to travel to D.C. during the week of spring break (March 14-21, 2026).
Required Materials
All completed applications for this award must contain the following materials:
- Completed online application
- Resume/CV (limited to 2 pages)
- Include any campus or community involvement
- Include relevant coursework in journalism and/or international relations
- Completed Recommendation (limited to 1 recommendation)
- Recommenders will be notified via email to submit their recommendation once your application is submitted
- Must be completed by a KU faculty or staff member who is familiar with your work
- Completed Essay
If you are selected for this opportunity, you will be expected to respond to the program manager’s emails in a reasonable amount of time so that we may coordinate meetings and book travel in a timely manner. You will also be profiled by the Dole Institute and the KU School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
Timeline
- Friday, October 24, 2025 — Applications and Recommendations are due by 5 p.m. CST
- Monday, November 3, 2025 — Applicants will be notified of their application status on or before this date
- Friday, November 7, 2025 – Applicants must accept their spot on or before this date
There will be an online orientation spread out for a few weeks preceding the bootcamp.
The bootcamp will be a five-day program during KU’s spring break in 2026 in Washington, D.C. The travel dates are from March 14 to March 21.
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