International Center for Journalists
Professional services
UnclaimedA Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that strengthens journalism worldwide through training, fellowships, exchanges, and professional support.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
The International Center for Journalists, commonly known as ICFJ, is a United States-based nonprofit professional organization focused on strengthening journalism around the world. Founded in 1984 by journalists Tom Winship, Jim Ewing, and George Krimsky, the organization was created to support reporters and media managers working outside the United States, particularly in countries where free-press institutions were weak, restricted, or not yet established. ICFJ’s work is centered on professional development and international exchange rather than on publishing a conventional news product. Its activities include journalism training, workshops, seminars, fellowships, mentoring, and partnerships with media organizations. Through these activities, it connects journalists and media professionals with practical instruction, international peers, and organizations that can support newsroom development. Its stated purpose is to promote journalism worldwide and to help media workers improve the quality, independence, and reach of their reporting. One of ICFJ’s best-known initiatives is the Knight International Journalism Fellowships program. Launched in 1994 with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the program places experienced media professionals with partner organizations in countries where their expertise can produce meaningful and measurable improvements. The fellowships have also received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program reflects ICFJ’s emphasis on direct, context-sensitive assistance: fellows work with local partners rather than functioning solely as short-term external trainers. Another major initiative is the International Journalists’ Network, or IJNet. This online service provides journalists and media-development organizations with information about training opportunities, professional resources, jobs, and developments in journalism practice. It also provides networking and discussion functions and distributes email bulletins in Arabic, English, Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. IJNet tracks media-training and related assistance efforts in approximately 150 countries, helping organizations identify available support and reduce duplication among international media-development programs. ICFJ also maintains a recognition function through the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism. Established in 2006 in honor of Winship, Ewing, and Krimsky, the award recognizes a journalist with a sustained commitment to high professional standards. Early recipients included Bob Schieffer, Tom Brokaw, John F. Burns, and Seymour Hersh. The organization operates internationally while being headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its work is supported through partnerships and grants from foundations and other institutions, including organizations identified in descriptions of its programs such as the Knight Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Eurasia Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Open Society Institute. No public-company listing or stock ticker is associated with ICFJ. In 2025, Russia designated ICFJ an “undesirable organization,” marking a significant regulatory challenge to its activities and reputation in that country.
History
The International Center for Journalists was founded in 1984 in the United States by Tom Winship, Jim Ewing, and George Krimsky. The three founders sought to create an organization that could assist journalists working abroad, especially in environments where independent journalism and free-press institutions were limited or absent. From its beginning, ICFJ’s role was that of a professional and institutional support organization rather than a conventional newsroom or publishing company. The organization developed a model based on practical training, professional exchange, and collaboration with local media. Its activities have included workshops, seminars, fellowships, and assistance for reporters and media managers. This approach allows ICFJ to work with journalists in different political, economic, and technological settings while adapting professional-development activities to local needs. In 1994, ICFJ launched the Knight International Journalism Fellowships program with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. The program pairs experienced media professionals with partner media organizations in countries where their participation is intended to produce meaningful and measurable change. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has also supported the fellowship initiative. Rather than treating international assistance as a single standardized course, the fellowship model is built around sustained work with partner organizations and the transfer of professional knowledge. ICFJ also developed the International Journalists’ Network, generally referred to as IJNet. The service functions as an online information and networking resource for journalists and media-development organizations. It publishes information about training, jobs, and professional opportunities; provides discussion and networking functions; and distributes bulletins in Arabic, English, Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. IJNet’s tracking of media-training and assistance programs in about 150 countries gives donors and training organizations a way to identify existing initiatives and limit unnecessary duplication. In 2006, ICFJ established the ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism as a tribute to its three founders. The award recognizes journalists who have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to high standards in the profession. Early recipients included CBS News journalist Bob Schieffer in 2006, NBC News journalist Tom Brokaw in 2007, New York Times correspondent John F. Burns in 2008, and investigative journalist Seymour Hersh in 2009. ICFJ’s international work has depended on support from foundations and other institutions. Program descriptions identify support from the Knight Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Eurasia Foundation, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Open Society Institute, and individual supporters. The organization remains headquartered in Washington, D.C., while its programs and networks serve journalists and media organizations across multiple regions. In 2025, Russia designated ICFJ an “undesirable organization.” This designation represented a major regulatory obstacle to the center’s activities involving Russia and added a significant political dimension to its work supporting independent journalism internationally.
- 2025
Russia designates ICFJ an undesirable organization
[1]Russian authorities designate ICFJ as an undesirable organization, restricting the legal environment for its work connected with Russia.
- 2006
Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism is established
[1]ICFJ creates an award honoring its three founders and recognizing sustained commitment to professional journalism standards.
- 1994
Knight International Journalism Fellowships begin
[1]ICFJ launches its international fellowship program with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
- 1984
International Center for Journalists is founded
[1]Tom Winship, Jim Ewing, and George Krimsky establish ICFJ to support journalists working internationally, particularly in countries with weak or nonexistent free-press systems.
Products and positioning
Nonprofit journalism-support and media-development organization
International journalism fellowship · 1994
Knight International Journalism Fellowships
A fellowship program launched in 1994 that places global media professionals with partner media organizations in countries where their skills and collaboration can produce meaningful, measurable improvements. The program is supported by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and has also received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Online journalism-support service
International Journalists’ Network (IJNet)
An online service for journalists and media-development organizations. IJNet provides information on journalism training, employment, and professional opportunities, along with networking, discussion, and resource functions. Its bulletins are offered in Arabic, English, Chinese, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, and the service tracks media-assistance activities in approximately 150 countries.
Journalism award · 2006
ICFJ Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism
An award established in 2006 to honor ICFJ founders Tom Winship, Jim Ewing, and George Krimsky. It recognizes a journalist with a long-term commitment to high professional standards. Early recipients included Bob Schieffer, Tom Brokaw, John F. Burns, and Seymour Hersh.
Brand decisions
2025
Response to Russian undesirable-organization designationStrategyBackground
Russian authorities designated ICFJ an undesirable organization, creating legal and operational constraints for the center’s Russia-related activities.
Action taken
ICFJ faced the consequences of the designation within the Russian regulatory environment.
Aftermath
The designation increased the political and compliance risks associated with ICFJ’s work involving Russia.
2006
Establishment of the ICFJ Founders AwardOtherBackground
ICFJ created a formal way to commemorate its founders and highlight sustained excellence in journalism.
Action taken
The organization established the Founders Award for Excellence in Journalism.
Aftermath
The award recognized prominent journalists including Bob Schieffer, Tom Brokaw, John F. Burns, and Seymour Hersh during its early years.
1994
Launch of the Knight International Journalism FellowshipsStrategyBackground
ICFJ sought a structured way to provide international media organizations with sustained access to experienced journalism professionals.
Action taken
The center created a fellowship program pairing global media professionals with partner organizations in countries where their work could generate measurable improvements.
Aftermath
The fellowship became one of ICFJ’s principal international programs and later received support from additional philanthropic institutions.
Recent events
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