Tag Archives: written expression

Schumann Brothers Fund, Student Media

2025 Schumann Brothers Grants: Now Accepting Applications!

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.

Schumann Brothers Fund

2021 Schumann Brothers Grants for Creative Expression: Applications Open

Rice University and Rice Student Media announces two competitions for the Schumann Brothers Grants: one for Written Expression and one for Travel Journalism. The winners for each award will receive a $1000 grant to support their proposed endeavors. 

For examples of previous grant winners’ works, go here. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be undergraduate students who have been published in a Rice University student media outlet. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

Application

Written expression:

  • Submissions should include a writing sample, preferably one that is related to the project you are proposing. Any style of writing is acceptable, and the sample does not need to have been published. 
  • Submissions should include a proposal no longer than one page explaining the desired project.
  • Submissions must include a projected completion date for the piece(s). The committee will approve and enforce a completion date, or the grantee may be required to return the grant money.
  • The piece resulting from the project must be submitted to the committee for possible publication online or in print through the Office of  Student Media.
  • The committee will submit the resulting written piece and the grant request to the Dean’s office, so it can be communicated to the donors.

Travel Journalism:

  • Submissions should include a non-fiction writing sample that is related to the project you are proposing. Any style of writing is acceptable, and the sample does not need to have been published. 
  • Submissions must also include a travel budget and a proposal no longer than one page explaining the desired trip and its journalistic value. It is understood that the budget may exceed the grant amount. 
  • The trip should be taken within a calendar year from the award being given. 
  • Submissions will include a projected completion date for the piece(s). The committee will approve and enforce a completion date, or the grantee may be required to return the grant money.
  • The piece resulting from the project must be submitted to the committee for publication online or in print through Rice Student Media
  • The committee will submit the resulting written piece(s) and the grant request to the Dean’s office, so it can be communicated to the donors.

Deadline

All submissions must be received no later than April 16, 2021 by 5 p.m. Submissions for Written Expression can be submitted here. Submissions for Travel Journalism can be submitted here.

Selection

A Selection Committee composed of student publication editors and sponsors will select finalists. If needed, finalists may be asked to appear for an interview. Grant winners will be notified by email by Friday, April 16th with a formal announcement to follow.

If you have any questions or need clarification, email ricestudentmedia@gmail.com or klash@rice.edu.