The deadline for all application materials (including an optional recommendation letter and required letter of support) is the end of the first week in April. For 2026, the deadline for all application materials is 11:59 p.m. ET, April 3, 2026.

All recommenders will be sent an automatically-generated email with instructions to submit their letters online after you have completed the application. Please encourage your recommenders to check their spam or junk email folders to ensure that they do not miss the email regarding the submission of their letter.

You can also log into your application to resend your recommendation request. If you do not receive emails confirming receipt of your application or recommendation letters or your recommender does not receive the request, please contact carterfellows@cartercenter.org. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application is completed. Applications with missing criteria will not be considered.

The recommendation letter speaks to the quality of your work and commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting. The letter of support indicates that the media organization for which you work or the media organization for which you freelance is committed to affording you the time and editorial support to work on your project and to running your project once complete.

Letters of recommendation should come from someone who has managed and/or is familiar with your work. They should be able to speak to your journalistic abilities and commitment. 

The letter of support should come from a leader in the supporting news organization who has decision-making authority related to the project, such as affording you time and editorial support to work on the project and publishing/broadcasting your completed project. The letter of support may be written by a recommender. The letter of support should also include the understanding that stipend funds belong to the fellow and not the media entity. Letters from friends or relatives are strongly discouraged.

Once an applicant completes the online application, recommenders will receive an email with instructions for submitting recommendation letters and the letter of support. Applicants will receive an email when each letter of recommendation and the letter of support are submitted.

Please encourage your recommenders to check their spam or junk email folders to ensure that they do not miss the email regarding the submission of their letter. If you do not receive emails confirming receipt of your application or recommendation letters, or your recommender does not receive your recommendation request, please contact carterfellows@cartercenter.org. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the application is completed. Applications with missing criteria will not be considered.

The same person can complete these letters as long as they can speak to the strength of your work and your commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting as well as their willingness to support or publish the work directly related to your fellowship project. 

You will receive an email when your letter of recommendation and the letter of support have been successfully uploaded. You may log in to your application to check the status of each letter. If you do not receive one of the emails when expected, please remind your contact. If you are still unsure, please email carterfellows@cartercenter.org.

Letters of recommendation are optional. Recommenders should be able to speak to the quality of your work and commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting. Recommenders will be asked via email to submit their letters online after you have completed the application.

Applicants are required to submit a letter of support. A letter of support is different from a recommendation letter.

For further information on the letter of support, please see: What is the difference between the recommendation letters and the letter of support?

Applicants will receive an email when each letter of recommendation and the letter of support is submitted.

The recommendation letter speaks to the quality of your work and commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting. The letter of support indicates that the media organization for which you work or the media organization for which you freelance is committed to affording you the time and editorial support to work on your project and to running your project once complete.

In addition, it is important that the letter of support includes the understanding that the stipend is provided to the fellow, not to the media entity. The Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism is an award given to journalists to fund their work.

Recommenders will be sent an automatically-generated email with instructions to submit their letters online after you have completed the application. Please encourage your recommenders to check their spam or junk email folders to ensure that they do not miss the email regarding the submission of their letter.

You can also log into your application to resend your recommendation request. If you do not receive emails confirming receipt of your application or recommendation letters or your recommender does not receive the request, please contact carterfellows@cartercenter.org.

While a letter of support is required, a letter of recommendation is optional, but highly encouraged.

For further information on the letter of support, please see: What is the difference between the recommendation letter and the letter of support?

We do recommend at least one letter of recommendation from someone familiar with your work. Strong letters of recommendation strengthen applications. Recommenders should be able to speak to the quality of your work and commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting. Recommenders will be asked via email to submit their letters online after you have completed the application. 

Applicants will receive an email when letters of recommendation and support are submitted.

Recommendation and support letters should be uploaded directly to your application. When you enter the letter writers’ information in the application software, those individuals will receive an email that contains detailed instructions. If they have questions or concerns, they can email us at carterfellows@cartercenter.org.