Would-be journalists without the financial means to attend training courses run by the National Council for the Training of Journalists are being given an annual opportunity to apply for a bursary.

The Journalism Diversity Fund is available to people from socially and ethnically diverse backgrounds who have applied for a place on an NCTJ-accredited journalism course.

Successful applicants will have their course and examination fees paid for and receive contributions to living expenses during training.

Applications are being accepted for journalism courses starting between September 2012 and August 2013. There will be four bursary rounds this year, and the first deadline for applications is 20 April. Visit www.journalismdiversityfund.com for more information.