If your journalism passion is to turn a beat, topic, cause or community into a business, you have until May 1 to submit an application to the tuition-free, Beat Business training program this summer at the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

The program is open to a journalist or entrepreneur launching or building a media business or project that focuses on a particular geography, demographic group or topic.  The goal of program, led by media experts Janet Coats and Rusty Coats, is to help participants create a realistic, workable business and product plan, and have access to a powerful network of fellow entrepreneurs and media experts.  

Separately, the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, VICE Media and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation have opened applications for a new $500,000 program to support innovative and new storytelling tools and initiatives for the next generation of news consumers. The deadline for applications is June 1.  

The Knight-VICE Innovators Fund is open for applications from journalists who have specific projects that have the potential to create a substantial impact to serve a global, connected audience.  The journalism tools used in projects can range from investigative techniques to new presentation styles or ways of telling stories. 

“This is an amazing opportunity for journalists from all over the world to get uniquely trained, both at VICE and CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. I can’t wait to start reviewing the applications, “ said Sarah Bartlett, dean of the CUNY Journalism School.  VICE is a global youth media company, launched in 1994 as a punk magazine, which now operates in 36 countries. 

Finalists will spend three days a week with VICE News staff and two days a week at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism for a period of up to three months.