The David McClure Public Interest Journalism Fellowship is a prestigious, fully funded opportunity designed to support independent, non-fiction writers and journalists producing rigorously researched public interest journalism. From 2026, one Fellow per year will receive £15,000 to complete an investigation that holds power to account and serves the public good.

Presented by the Oxford International Centre for Publishing (OICP) at Oxford Brookes University, this Fellowship honours the legacy of acclaimed investigative journalist David McClure, whose work exposed centuries-old institutional privilege and reshaped public understanding of royal wealth and power.

About David McClure

David McClure was a highly respected journalist, news producer, and author whose career was defined by deep forensic investigation and public accountability journalism. Over a decade, he uncovered how the British Royal Family’s private estates and investments were shielded from scrutiny for centuries.

His investigations resulted in two landmark non-fiction books—Royal Legacy: How the Royal Family Have Made, Spent and Passed on Their Wealth (2014) and The Queen’s True Worth: Unravelling the Public & Private Finances of Queen Elizabeth II (2020). These works were serialised in the UK press, described as “bombshell revelations”, and covered extensively by global media. McClure passed away from cancer in June 2022.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Funding for investigative journalism has been under sustained pressure for more than a decade. The 2019 Cairncross Review highlighted the growing financial fragility of public interest reporting—an issue that remains unresolved today.

The David McClure Public Interest Journalism Fellowship directly addresses this challenge by providing dedicated financial support for investigations that are:

Time-intensive
Costly to research
Independent of political or commercial influence
Essential to the public domain

Without this Fellowship, many such investigations might never be completed or published.

Fellowship Overview

Award Amount: £15,000
Number of Fellows: 1 per year
Duration: Five years (2026–2031)
Start Date: September each year
Funded By: David McClure Trust Fund
Host Institution: Oxford International Centre for Publishing (OICP)

The Fellowship supports the completion of a single, long-form piece of public interest journalism with strong contemporary relevance.

What Type of Journalism Is Supported?

The Fellowship is intentionally flexible, with minimal restrictions. However, the proposed investigation must be:

Original
Non-fiction
Non-biased and non-partisan
Rigorously researched
Of clear public interest and contemporary relevance

The selection panel’s primary consideration is how deserving the investigation is to be in the public domain.

Key Benefits of the Fellowship

£15,000 in dedicated funding
Institutional support from Oxford Brookes University
Recognition associated with David McClure’s investigative legacy
Time and financial freedom to complete ambitious journalism
Increased likelihood of publication and impact

Eligibility and Qualifications

Open to journalists, authors, and non-fiction writers worldwide
No restrictions on:
- Age
- Nationality
- Background
- Career stage
Diversity is welcomed, but merit and public value are the deciding factors

Can I Apply If My Investigation Is Already Underway?

Yes. The Fellowship is specifically designed for writers who have begun an investigation but cannot progress or complete it without financial support.

Can I Apply If I Haven’t Started Yet?

The Fellowship prioritises projects already in progress. Applicants must demonstrate research undertaken and progress to date.

Financial Need and Use of Funds

Applicants will not be means-tested. However, applications must clearly explain:

Why Fellowship funding is essential to complete the investigation
How the £15,000 will be used (e.g. research time, travel, data access, legal review, archival work)

The panel will prioritise public value over personal financial circumstances.

Selection Panel

The Fellow will be chosen by a panel comprising:

Members of the Oxford International Centre for Publishing (OICP)
Selected experts from its Publishing Advisory Board
Selected experts from its Journalism Advisory Board

Panel members include publishers, literary agents, journalists, authors, and senior industry professionals.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit a 1,500-word pitch that includes:

Synopsis of the investigation
Aims and objectives
Public interest relevance
Key research undertaken so far
Progress to date
Why Fellowship support is essential
Detailed explanation of how funds will be used

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online interview.

Deadlines and Key Dates

Application Deadline: 31 May (annually)
Interview Period: Summer
Fellowship Start Date: September
Frequency: Once per year, for five consecutive years starting in 2026

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via the official application form:

Apply here

(Shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interview details.)

The David McClure Public Interest Journalism Fellowship is a rare and powerful opportunity for writers committed to truth, accountability, and public value. If you are pursuing an investigation that matters—but lack the resources to finish it—this Fellowship exists to make that work possible.

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£15,000 David McClure Public Interest Journalism Fellowship 2026–2031: Major Funding Opportunity for Investigative and Long-Form Journalism

Job Description