The Joe Durso Jr. Professional Project Fund is named for the former professor and dean who served the Radio-Television Department and School of Journalism from 1985 until his death in 1998. The Durso Fund provides students with financial assistance to help them complete professional journalism projects.  

Students can apply during both the fall and spring call for applications. Applicants must have a faculty sponsor with whom they have discussed their project.

Students will receive a maximum of $500 per award, but may receive more than one award, capping at a $1,000 lifetime total. There are two award cycles annually, one in the fall and one in the spring.

The fund can support individual projects outside of class work or projects that are pursued during a class that does not have its own funding source. Graduate students may receive an award for a thesis or a professional project, but they must be enrolled in at least one credit when the award is granted. Money may not be spent to attend academic conferences or on equipment, including hard drives, digital media, etc. Expenses considered for awards primarily include travel and lodging. Food will not be covered with these awards. 

The fund looks to support independent study, reward entrepreneurship and encourage students to pursue professional projects with the intent of publication.  The School of Journalism’s Durso Fund committee – professors Jeremy Lurgio, Denise Dowling and Joe Eaton – will announce the awards approximately two weeks after the application deadline.

PLEASE NOTE: The awards must be spent on expenses incurred in pursuit of a professional project, and awards received may impact financial aid benefits.

TO APPLY

Write a typed, one-page pitch for your project. Please include in your pitch:

• a description of the scope and focus of your project;
• a timeline for production
• the reason you need the funds;
• a thorough proposed budget and/or receipts for the project;
• the date by which you will complete your project;
• your intent to publish the project and possible publication outlets;
• name of the faculty advisor for your project; and
• the proposed project’s length and format.

Email a PDF of your application to jeremy.lurgio@mso.umt.edu by the deadline. Please include "DURSO" in the subject line. All application materials must be received by the application deadline.

The 2023 application deadline is Oct. 20 at 5 p.m.