William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Institute for Labor Relations Research

Overview

The William B. Ruggles Journalism Scholarship recognizes a student who exemplifies high journalistic standards and commitment to Right to Work principles. The scholarship honors William B. Ruggles, the journalist credited with coining the phrase “Right to Work,” and supports students pursuing journalism at U.S. institutions of higher learning. One scholarship is awarded annually to an applicant whose work and values align with the award’s mission. The selection emphasizes both journalistic ability and an understanding of the economic and social issues related to compulsory unionism.

Description: An annual scholarship honoring William B. Ruggles, intended to support students who demonstrate journalistic skill and alignment with Right to Work principles.

• Recognizes journalistic excellence connected to Right to Work issues.
• Aims to support undergraduate or graduate students at U.S. institutions.
• Selection balances writing quality and understanding of relevant labor issues.

Eligibility

Applicants must be attending or planning to attend a United States institution of higher learning at the undergraduate or graduate level and must demonstrate journalistic ability or be enrolled in a journalism program. Officers, directors, employees of the National Institute for Labor Relations Research and the National Right to Work Committee, members of the Selection Review Committee, and their immediate families are ineligible. Applicants must provide documentation to verify enrollment or acceptance and evidence of journalistic work when required. The program accepts candidates who show potential to complete their chosen educational program successfully.

Eligibility: Open to students attending or intending to attend U.S. colleges or universities who demonstrate journalistic skill; specified organizational personnel and family members are excluded.

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. institutions.
• Requires proof of enrollment or acceptance and demonstration of journalistic work.
• Certain organizational officers, committee members, employees, and their families are disqualified.

Application and Selection Process

The application requires a completed form, a 500–700-word original essay, a recent transcript or acceptance letter, and a photo. Institute staff review submissions, redact identifying information, and forward top essays to a Selection Review Committee of independent educators and Institute representatives for blind review. The Committee ranks and nominates up to three essays, which the Institute’s Board of Directors reviews and votes on at its annual meeting, typically held in April. The Institute notifies and publicly announces the Winner following the Board’s decision.

Application Timeline: Submit the application package (essay, transcript or acceptance letter, and photo); top essays are shortlisted and reviewed blind; Board decision is made at its annual meeting (typically in April).

• Applications are screened by Institute staff and reviewed blind by an independent committee.
• The Committee nominates up to three finalists for Board consideration.
• The Board votes at its annual meeting and the Institute announces the Winner.

Award Details

The scholarship awards one recipient $2,000 annually. Funds are paid directly to the recipient’s institution of higher learning rather than to the individual. After the academic year, the Winner or the institution must submit an official transcript to the Institute. The Institute publishes and communicates the award recipient following the Board’s approval.

Award Value: One $2,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s accredited institution.

• $2,000 award amount for a single annual recipient.
• Payment is made to the educational institution, not to the individual.
• Official transcript submission is required after the academic year.

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on scholastic ability and a demonstrated interest in the Institute’s work related to labor relations and Right to Work principles. Applicants must submit a 500–700-word essay that illustrates their writing ability and understanding of compulsory unionism’s economic and social problems. Required documentation includes a recent transcript or acceptance letter and proof of enrollment in a journalism program or examples of journalistic work, which may include social media. The Selection Review Committee and the Board evaluate nominees for academic potential and alignment with the scholarship’s purpose.

History of the Award: The scholarship commemorates William B. Ruggles, a journalist notable for coining the term “Right to Work” and influencing the movement’s advancement.

• Evaluations emphasize writing quality and understanding of relevant labor issues.
• Applicants must provide academic documentation and evidence of journalistic ability.
• Final approval is made by the Institute’s Board after committee nominations.