United Nations Journalism Fellowship 2012

Deadline: 30 March 2012
Open to: Natives of one of the developing countries of Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, between the ages of 25 and 35
Fellowship: Round-trip airfare to New York; accommodations; health insurance for the duration of the fellowship, and a daily allowance to cover food and other necessities

Description

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists is now accepting applications from professional journalists from developing countries for its 2012 fellowship program.
The fellowships are available to radio, television, print and web journalists, age 25 to 35, from developing countries who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The fellowships will begin in early September and extend to late November and will include the cost of travel and accommodations in New York, as well as a per diem allowance.
The fellowship program is open to journalists who are native to one of the developing countries in Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean, and are currently working full-time for a bona fide media organization in a developing nation. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in and commitment to international affairs and to conveying a better understanding of the United Nations to their readers and audiences. They must also have approval from their media organizations to spend up to two months in New York to report from the United Nations.
In an effort to rotate recipient countries, the Fund will not consider journalist applications for 2012 from nations selected in 2011: China, Ethiopia, India and Nigeria. Journalists from these countries may apply in 2013.
Four journalists are selected each year after a review of all applications. The journalists who are awarded fellowships are given the incomparable opportunity to observe international diplomatic deliberations at the United Nations, to make professional contacts that will serve them for years to come, to interact with seasoned journalists from around the world, and to gain a broader perspective and understanding of matters of global concern. Many past fellows have risen to prominence in their professional and countries. The program is not intended to provide basic skills training to journalists, as all participants are media professionals.

Fellowship

The Fund will provide: round-trip airfare to New York; accommodations; health insurance for the duration of the fellowship, and a daily allowance to cover food and other necessities. The Fund will not be responsible for other expenses of a personal nature, such as telephone calls.

Eligibility

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists fellowship is open to individuals who:

• Are native of one of the developing countries of Africa, Asia, South America and the Caribbean. For 2012 only, the Fund will not accept applications from the countries of the 2011 Fellows – China, Ethiopia, India and Nigeria — in an effort to rotate recipient countries.
• Currently live in and write for media in a developing country.
• Are between the ages of 25 and 35.
• Have a very good command of the English language since United Nations press conferences and many documents are in English only.
• Are currently employed full-time as professional journalists for bona fide print, television, radio or internet media organizations.
• Have approval from their media organizations to spend up to three months in New York reporting from the United Nations.
• Receive a commitment from their media organizations that the reports they file during the term of the Fellowship will be used.
• Are prepared technically to file their news stories over WIFI, whether broadcast or print.

Application

Please include all of the following documents with your signed application. Applications WITHOUT the following documents will NOT be considered.

1. Copies of representative selections of your work, such as newspaper clippings, audio tapes, video tapes or Internet submissions. The selections must be work produced in 2011 or 2012 – not earlier. The judges will look for entries with insight and originality. Investigative work is welcome.

• For newspaper clippings not in English, include an English translation or summary.
• For audio tape and video tape submissions, include a written transcription or a summary in English, even if the originals are in English.
• Video submissions should be in DVD, CD or VHS (preferably NTSC) format.
• For video and broadcast applicants, kindly send a CD that can be read or send regular size audio tapes (no mini tapes).

2. Originally signed letters from two individuals who supervised you and can comment on your journalism experience and qualifications.

3. Endorsement of the Fellowship application from the editor or director of the news organization that presently employs you. This endorsement must be originally signed and should:

• Grant you a leave of absence from your current duties in the event you are awarded a Fellowship.
• States 1) plans for using the material prepared by you during the Fellowship, and 2) the arrangements made to file your reports while you are at the United Nations and in New York.
• Sets forth the plans for you upon completion of the Fellowship and your return from New York.

4. Summary statement. On a separate sheet of paper, explain in not less than 300 words why you are applying for this Fellowship and what you expect to gain from the experience.

5. Two recent photographs (passport size or larger). Please place these photos in a separate secure envelope and affix them to the front of your application.

6. If available, include a copy of your passport. If you do not currently have a passport, you are advised to obtain one as soon as possible so that, if selected, you can immediately proceed to obtaining a journalist visa.

NOTE: Applicants and/or their employers are required to provide equipment necessary for the applicants to efficiently and effectively report from the United Nations. Such equipment should include a laptop or notebook computer, digital camera (if appropriate), audio/visual recording and equipment needed for transmission, especially for TV. Selected journalists must be prepared technically to file their news stories over WIFI, whether broadcast or print, and arrive with a laptop enabled for WIFI.

Click HERE for the application in Word format

Click HERE for the application in PDF format

The application deadline is Friday, March 30, 2012.

Your application WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED unless you 1) meet all Eligibility Criteria, 2) satisfy all Documentation Requirements and 3) submit a completed Fellowship Application Form by the stated deadline.

Questions about the program, eligibility and application process can be directed to fellowship@unjournalismfellowship.org.

The Official Website