Overview

The recent global recession has brought immigration and integration issues back into the spotlight, especially in Europe and the United States. Yet, with media outlets facing drastic job and budget cuts, it has become more challenging for journalists to undertake in-depth or investigative reporting projects on immigration.

With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the French-American Foundation is launching the Immigration Journalism Fellowship. This first of its kind Fellowship aims to provide media professionals with the financial means to produce objective and challenging material on one of the most heated and controversial contemporary issues. To that end, the French-American Foundation will award fellows up to $10,000 for their work, to be completed over a 4-6 month period.

The fellowship is open to experienced journalists of any nationality and with an interest in questions of immigration and integration. The French American Foundation will pay special attention to innovative and groundbreaking material. We are looking for visionary, uncovered and meaningful stories with the potential to advance public debate. Both creative content and format will draw our particular attention. All types of stories will be considered (local, global, cultural, economic, etc.), as long as they comply with journalism ethics of fairness and responsibility.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The French-American Foundation and its Media Advisory Committee will consider media professionals:

from all types of media (print, web, broadcast, documentary, etc.);
with a minimum of three years of professionalism journalism experience and outstanding achievements in the field;
of all nationalities (note that the work produced as part of the fellowship must be published in the United States or in Europe);
with the ability to work in either English or French (the final work must be published in English or French);
with a prior commitment from a media organization to publish the work produced.

Applications will be evaluated according to the proposed reporting projects':

originality and innovation;
potential for a tangible and lasting impact on journalists and the general public;
potential for adaptation to different media (video, podcasts, radio, etc.).

Journalists can apply individually, but publications and media organizations are encouraged to submit the names of journalists. Teams of up to three journalists can also apply for a single fellowship and share the funds towards completing their project. Freelancers are eligible to apply as well.

Please note that the fellowship will not pay salaries for journalists on the program but will offer the possibility of a stipend. In addition, it will not cover the costs of a traveling companion, and each fellow can only obtain financing for one project at a time.

At the end of the fellowship, selected fellows will be invited to attend a closing ceremony in New York.

Contact journalism@frenchamerican.org with any questions.

Download application materials.

The zip file contains a Checklist & Instructions PDF that applicants should read first, along with four forms: the General Information Form, Project Synopsis Form, Work Sample Form and Budget Form.

Once your application is ready, submit it here.

IMMIGRATION JOURNALISM FELLOWSHIP TIMELINE

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST: deadline for submissions.

Second half of November 2011: the French-American Foundation selects the most outstanding projects. Shortlisted applicants may be required to participate in an in-person or phone/Skype interview.

First half of December 2011: the Media Advisory Board reviews chosen projects and selects the fellows.

First half of January 2012: fellows announced.

Monday, February 13th, 2012: reporting period officially starts (Fellowship lasts a maximum of 6 months).

Monday, August 13th, 2012: Fellowship is completed.

September 30 2012: work produced during the Fellowship is published.

Second half of October, 2012: closing ceremony in New York, NY.

For all other questions, please contact us at: journalism@frenchamerican.org

http://equality.frenchamerican.org/page/fellowships

Please quote Scholarization.blogspot.com on your application when applying for this scholarship