2025 KENNEDY SCHOLARSHIPS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The 2025 Kennedy Scholarship applications showed the same level of excellence as this years Kennedy Awards. Supported by Foundation Partner, NRMA and our media partners 7NEWS and 9News, the scholarships will provide two successful applicants with twelve weeks of paid intensive newsroom experience.
Anthony Murdoch, Deputy News Director at 7NEWS Sydney, said: “7NEWS is proud to partner with the Kennedy Foundation and we especially congratulate our three talented finalists. All the candidates were exceptional, which gives me great optimism for the future of our industry.”
Fiona Dear, Executive Director at 9News & Current Affairs, said: “Nine's Video Content team is dynamic, innovative, and focused on delivering compelling stories for audiences increasingly consuming news on social and digital platforms. The Kennedy Scholarship has helped uncover some incredible young journalists in this space, and we’re excited to welcome the successful scholar to our Sydney newsroom for 12 weeks.” Stefan Mitchell, Head of News & Sport Video Content at Nine, added: “We were blown away by the calibre of entrants. The finalists are among the most impressive, intelligent, and innovative young journalists we’ve encountered. They are the future of news, and each one has the talent and drive to produce compelling content. Choosing just one was incredibly tough.”
All the winners will be announced and celebrated at the Kennedy Foundation’s 2025 Awards Presentation Dinner, which will be held on Friday, August 15, at the Royal Randwick Ballroom.
For tickets to the awards, click HERE
2025 Kennedy Scholarships Finalists Announced
7News
• Ava Cashmore - Monash University
• Rani Fletcher - RMIT
• Sarah Jensz - The University of Melbourne
9News
• Ava Cashmore - Monash University
• Mahir Munot - University of Technology Sydney
• Sabrine Nasri - UNSW
The Kennedy Foundation is proud to support the next generation of journalists as they embark on their journey to becoming tomorrow's media leaders. Since 2023, the Foundation has been investing in scholarship initiatives to create opportunities for outstanding undergraduate and postgraduate students, enabling them to gain invaluable experience and develop their skills in their respective fields.
In 2025, the Kennedy Foundation is proud to announce two exciting scholarship opportunities—one in partnership with 7News Sydney, focusing on broadcast news, and another with 9News, working alongside their dynamic new Video Content team at Nine’s North Sydney headquarters.
Each scholarship offers a 12-week immersive experience, providing hands-on learning from industry leaders. To support recipients, the Foundation will award a $12,000 stipend to each winner.
Additionally, for those residing metropolitan Sydney who require short-term accommodation, a $3,000 allowance will be provided.
Kennedy Scholarships are proudly supported by Foundation Partner