Carol Eisenberg, from Long Island's Newsday, and the Miami Herald's Stephen Smith will study health care.

Bill Krueger from the Raleigh News and Observer will focus on the social issues of aging.

Mary Kay Magistad, China correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR), is interested in societal healing after violent conflict. Also from NPR, David Molpus will look at contemporary workplace issues.

Patrick McDonnell from the Los Angeles Times will study immigration and assimilation.

Deborah Schoch from the Los Angeles Times will study a variety of environmental topics, and Jerry Zremski plans to look into government policy and its effect on the national economy.

Each fellow is granted a 10-month stay at Harvard, during which they can audit courses from both the College and the graduate schools. Housing is not provided, but they are given a $35,000 stipend to help cover living expenses.

In addition to studying in their field of interest, fellows participate in two weekly discussions at Lippmann House. One discussion focuses on journalism-related topics like ethics and the economy of the press, while the other is more general, including past speakers like DuBois Professor of the Humanities Henry Louis Gates Jr.and country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter.

Additionally, participants take turns each week presenting their particular interests and career experience to the group.