 In 1984 it was named after the American newspaper publisher and editor John S. Knight, following a large donation from the Knight Foundation to permanently endow the fellowships.Beginning with the 2009–10 fellowship year, the program placed a new emphasis on journalistic innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership.In 2014, it received a further $1.8 million grant from the Knight Foundation to fund a technology resource curriculum and programs to support its alumni in initiatives which they formulated during their fellowships.