TBABJ Griot Drum Scholarship 2026 for Journalism Students in Tampa Bay
- Study in
- United States
- Levels
- Undergraduate, graduate
- Funding
- Amount not published
- Who can apply
- Journalism and media students who went to school in, or lived in, eight Tampa Bay counties
- Run by
- Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ)
On this page
The Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) is taking applications for its 2026 Griot Drum Scholarship. It is for college students who study journalism or media and have a link to the Tampa Bay area of Florida. The deadline is October 15, 2026.
Status: Open. Applications close on October 15, 2026 (checked October 14, 2026). The official page does not give a closing time, so apply as early as you can.
About the scholarship
The Griot Drum Scholarship is the yearly scholarship TBABJ gives to student journalists. TBABJ started as the Suncoast Black Communicators. In 1990 it became the Tampa Bay affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).
The scholarship page does not say how much each award is worth or how many awards there are.
Who can apply
- College students at undergraduate or graduate level
- Students of journalism or a media subject, such as broadcast, print or online
- Students who went to school in, or once lived in, one of these Florida counties: Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee or Sarasota
The page does not list a GPA, citizenship or membership rule. If you are not sure you qualify, read the official page before you apply.
What you need to send
- Unofficial college transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from a professor, dean, faculty member, internship coordinator or employer
- A short essay of at least 300 words, or a video of up to 90 seconds, about your career plans in journalism or communications
- Samples of your work. These can be published stories, broadcast pieces or class assignments, including work about underserved and underrepresented communities.
Key details
| Scholarship | 2026 Griot Drum Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Organiser | Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists (TBABJ) |
| Level | Undergraduate or graduate college students |
| Field | Journalism and media (broadcast, print or online) |
| Area | Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee and Sarasota counties, Florida |
| Award amount | Not published |
| Deadline | October 15, 2026 |
| Ceremony | 2026 Griot Drum Awards and Scholarship Ceremony, Thursday, November 12, 2026 |
How to apply
- Get your transcript, letter of recommendation and work samples ready.
- Write your essay of 300 words or more, or record a video of 90 seconds or less.
- Open the official form: 2026 Griot Drum Scholarship application.
- Fill in the form, upload your files and submit before October 15, 2026.
You can read the full details on the TBABJ scholarships page.
What happens next
Winners are invited to the 2026 Griot Drum Awards and Scholarship Ceremony on Thursday, November 12. The official page does not give the place or time yet.
Tips before you submit
- Choose work samples that show your best reporting. Include a story about an underserved community.
- Keep your video under 90 seconds. Say who you are, what you study and the kind of journalist you want to be.
- Ask your referee now. Give them the deadline and a short note about the scholarship.
- Check that your name and contact details match on every file.
Related guides
- Scholarships for Black Students at Ivy League Colleges (2027 Guide)
- Fully Funded US Scholarships Beyond Fulbright: 5 Real Options (2027)
- Fully Funded PhD Scholarships in the USA: No Application Fee Options for International Students (2027)
Details are taken from the official TBABJ scholarships page. Confirm the current requirements on the application form before you submit.
