A record number of bursaries have been awarded by the Journalism Diversity Fund – allowing 13 students to pursue a career in the industry.

The successful applicants were chosen from 18 interviewed earlier this month and will now be able to attend courses accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The bursary scheme is run by the NCTJ to allow students from ethnically or socially diverse backgrounds to attend journalism courses.

Successful applicants to the fund will be attending courses at Cardiff University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Lambeth College, News Associates Manchester, NoSWeat Journalism Training, Press Association, University of Salford, Sheffield University and the University of Ulster.

More than 50 applications to the fund were received, which were then shortlisted and 18 candidates interviewed by three panels of editors and senior journalists.

And the next deadline for people to apply to the fund is fast approaching.

Potential students must complete applications by 30 June, showing they would bring a diverse voice to a newsroom, have a genuine need for a bursary and must be accepted on a NCTJ-accredited course.

Further information can be found at journalismdiversityfund.com