Beaverbrook Foundation launches journalism scholarships fund

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A charity set up by the founder of the Sunday Express is planning a series of scholarships and awards for young journalists training in print and online in the UK.

The Beaverbrook Foundation's new scheme will offer £250,000 in grants to students studying at a number of universities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Launching next year, the awards will include five annual scholarships of approximately £5,000 each available to UK journalism and English undergraduates. Awards will also be made in three additional categories: Young Reporter of the Year Award; Innovation in Journalism Award; and the Beaverbrook Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism.

Recipients will get an annual grant, have their tuition fees and accommodation costs covered and take part in a series of work placements at regional newspapers as part of the scheme.

"A solid grounding within print journalism remains the best training a young reporter can get for a career in media, be it print, radio, broadcast or digital. We don't want to find young talent however being deterred due to the high costs of training. The scholarship will support students hoping to break into the world of journalism whilst also recognising and rewarding the best journalists out there already through the three annual awards," says the current Lord Beaverbrook, in a release from the Foundation.

"My grandfather [the first Lord Beaverbrook (pictured) and owner of the Daily Express Newspaper group] had a lifelong passion for excellence within journalism and I, and the trustees of the Foundation, feel the Awards and Scholarships will be an appropriate way to honour his memory."

More details of how to apply for the scholarships and awards will be available from the Beaverbrook Foundation website . The Foundation will work with English and journalism department at certain universities and regional newspapers to identify the best candidates for the scheme, it says.

An annual lecture, awards event and dinner will also take place from 2011 as part of the scheme with the first awards gala planned for October 2011. These events will help raise money for The Journalist Charity, which is supported by the Foundation.