Rice University and Rice Student Media Announce the 2025 Schumann Brothers Grants
Rice University and Rice Student Media are pleased to announce two student competitions for the 2025 Schumann Brothers Grants: one for Written Expression and one for Travel Journalism.
- The Written Expression grant winner will receive $1,500.
- The Travel Journalism Grant winner will receive up to $5,000, based on the strength and scope of their proposed budget.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current undergraduate students anticipated to graduate during or after the spring 2026 semester who have been published in the Rice Thresher, Rice Campanile or other publications directly affiliated with the Rice University Department of Student Media. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Application Guidelines
Written Expression
- Submit a writing sample, preferably related to your proposed project. Any style is acceptable; publication is not required.
- Include a one-page proposal outlining your intended project.
- Provide a projected completion date of no later than March 15, 2026. Grant recipients must adhere to this timeline or risk returning funds.
- A final written piece must be submitted to the selection committee and may be published through Rice Student Media.
- Grantees must provide a brief post-project report (1–2 pages) confirming how the funds were used and reflecting on the impact of the grant.
Submit your Written Expression proposal here.
Travel Journalism
- Submit a nonfiction writing sample related to your proposed travel topic.
- Include a one-page proposal describing the trip and its journalistic significance.
- Provide a realistic travel budget. (It is understood that the trip may cost more than the grant covers.)
- The trip must be taken within one calendar year of the award.
- Include a projected completion date for the story or stories. Grant recipients must meet this timeline or return the funds.
- A final journalistic piece or series must be submitted to the committee no later than March 15, 2026, and may be published through Rice Student Media.
- Grantees must also submit a brief post-project summary detailing how the funds were spent and how the project aligned with the original proposal.
Submit your Travel Journalism proposal here.
Deadline
All submissions must be received by Wednesday, May 15, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Selection Process
A selection committee will review all applications. Finalists may be asked to participate in an interview. Grant recipients will be notified via email by June 15, 2025, with a formal announcement to follow.
Questions?
Please contact Tessa Ehrman in the Department of Student Media at te16@rice.edu for more information or clarification.