Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grants

The Los Angeles chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and the Los Angeles Times are accepting applications for the Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grants in honor of an outstanding young journalist who helped shape news coverage through his energy, dedication and precision, especially while chasing breaking news as a member of The Times’ Fast Break desk.

Yee, a sensitive and disciplined writer with exceptional curiosity and empathy, was passionate about local news. In that vein, we welcome applicants who are working to strengthen their journalistic skills and make deeper connections with their local communities.

Successful applicants will receive funding for skills training and professional development. The grants can also be applied to the cost of attending journalism conventions, pursuing local reporting or — sparked by Yee’s enduring love of photography — creating visual projects.

AAJA-LA and The Times share a firm commitment to creating space and opportunities for young, diverse talent to thrive in our industry. We encourage early-career journalists (those with no more than five years of professional newsroom experience) who are working in Southern California, or who have roots in Southern California, to apply for a grant. You must be a working journalist, not a student, at the time you plan to use the funds. We hope to find and support future “Greg Yees” and honor his legacy through this special program.

Applicants do not need to be AAJA-LA members, though preference will be given to those who are. In 2026, grants will be capped at $1,500 per person. Recipients will be expected to volunteer at AAJA-LA’s Trivia Bowl on Oct. 23, 2026, or at another chapter event. Additionally, the chapter will ask all recipients to write a short testimonial on what they used their grant for, so that we may share the information with Greg’s family and use it to help publicize the program.

The application is available at this Google Form. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until Dec. 1, 2026. The grants’ judging panel will reach out to applicants within a month of receiving the funding request.

To contribute to the training grants, click the yellow “donate here” button below.  

If you have any questions, or would like details for donating by check, contact gregyeegrants@gmail.com.

• Damonya Jones is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
  The Asian American Journalists Assn.’s Los Angeles chapter, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and the family of Gregory Yuen Yee, is excited to announce Damonya Jones as the recipient of a 2026 Yee training grant. Congratulations, Damonya! Damonya received a $1,500 grant to support her transition to becoming a full-time multimedia journalist after graduating… Read more: Damonya Jones is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
• Iris Kwok is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
  The Asian American Journalists Assn.’s Los Angeles chapter, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and the family of Gregory Yuen Yee, is excited to announce Iris Kwok as the recipient of a 2026 Yee training grant. Congratulations, Iris! Iris received a $1,500 grant to help cover travel expenses to attend the AAJA national convention… Read more: Iris Kwok is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
• Avidha Raha is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
  The Asian American Journalists Assn.’s Los Angeles chapter, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and the family of Gregory Yuen Yee, is excited to announce Avidha Raha as the recipient of a 2026 Yee training grant. Congratulations, Avidha! Avidha received a $1,500 grant to help cover travel expenses to attend the AAJA national convention… Read more: Avidha Raha is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
• June Hsu is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
  The Asian American Journalists Assn.’s Los Angeles chapter, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times and the family of Gregory Yuen Yee, is excited to announce the first 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient. Congratulations, June Hsu! June received a $1,500 grant to help cover travel expenses to attend the AAJA national convention in… Read more: June Hsu is named a 2026 Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant recipient
• New rolling deadlines for Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grants
  Early-career journalists can apply for financial assistance to attend AAJA’s 2026 national convention with the Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grants program.