NEW YORK -- The National Association of Black Journalists and The City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism are pleased to announce the new CUNY-NABJ Scholarship, which will provide $7,500 to a NABJ member to enroll in CUNY's innovative, three-semester program leading to an M.A. in journalism.

The scholarship, funded by the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, is open to NABJ members with a demonstrated interest in increasing diversity in the journalism profession. Those interested in this scholarship must first submit an application and be accepted by the school. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Jan. 2. Please visit The CUNY Graduate School of Journalismfor more information about the school, its admission requirements and to apply.

Extended education and training are becoming more important for journalists as competition for jobs increases, said NABJ President Barbara Ciara. This scholarship advances the organizations mission of training the next generation of journalists.

The CUNY J-School provides students with state-of-the-art media technology and experienced faculty composed of industry professionals and veteran journalists who have chosen to bring their expertise to the classroom. Students have daily contact with working journalists, and are able to develop mentoring relationships and connections that will guide them both in and out of the classroom. Students also participate in professional summer internships across the city.

We're delighted to partner with NABJ to recruit outstanding students to the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, said Steve Shepard, the dean of the CUNY J-School.

About The CUNY Graduate School of Journalism

The CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, which opened in 2006, is a three-semester program that teaches the craft of storytelling across media formats and reporting in specialty areas. The school has developed among the most advanced converged programs in the nation, with every student learning the fundamentals of every medium and also being encouraged to push the possibilities of journalism. It is the first graduate journalism school at a publicly supported university in the Northeast. The School is part of The City University of New York, the nation's leading urban university.

About National Association of Black Journalists

An advocacy group established in 1975 and located in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation. With nearly 4,000 members, NABJ provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.