Deadline: 1 August 2015
Open to: professional journalists of Muslim-majority countries
Fellowship: covers travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses
Description
Sharing the same goals, the Daniel Pearl Foundation partnered with Press Partners offers special fellowships to honor the life and work of journalist Daniel Pearl, The Wall Street Journal South Asia bureau chief who was kidnapped and murdered in Pakistan in 2002. Applicants are invited for the fellowship for professional journalists of Muslim-majority countries.
The fellowship program begins in March with a two-week orientation seminar in Washington, DC designed to prepare the fellows – both personally and professionally – for the challenges of living and working in the United States. At the middle of the program, fellows and staff come together for a week to attend seminars focused on writing, editing, multimedia reporting and investigative reporting/Computer Assisted Reporting. A final seminar in Washington reunites the fellows and allows them to compare and evaluate their experiences and discuss their impressions of the American media. Fellows return to their home countries in late August to begin sharing their knowledge and skills with colleagues, editors and publishers in their home newsrooms.
In addition, the Daniel Pearl Fellows spend a week at The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles, where they work closely with Jewish colleagues. While in Los Angeles, they also participate in a panel discussion open to the public about their experiences in the United States and how America is perceived from abroad. The fundamental goals of the program are:
- To provide the fellow with experience in reporting, writing, editing, and editorial decision-making that will enhance future professional performance;
- To expose the fellow to the technological changes that are occurring in the industry;
- To enable the fellow to gain a practical understanding of the function and significance of the free press in American society;
- To transfer knowledge gained on the program to colleagues at home;
- To foster continuing ties between free press institutions and journalists in the United States and their counterparts in other countries.
Eligibility
The applicants for the fellowship have to meet following criteria:
- Journalists who are citizens of Muslim-majority countries (see eligible countries HERE) ;
- Current full-time employment as a journalist for the news or editorial departments of independent newspapers, magazines, wire services, or online publications of general public interest;
- At least three years of full-time professional experience as a journalist;
- Early to mid-career status and between 25 and 35 years old;
- A demonstrated personal commitment to a career in journalism;
- Ability and desire to share what is learned on the fellowship with other journalists at home;
- Endorsement from the management of the home news organization;
- An excellent command of both written and spoken English as all activities are conducted in English.
Fellowship
The fellowship covers all costs of program-related international and domestic U.S. travel, health insurance and provides a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses. It is highly recommended that fellows bring additional money with them. While family members may visit, they cannot accompany the fellow for the duration of the fellowship.
How to apply?
The deadline for application is 1 August 2015. For successful application please send the filled Application form to info@presspartners.org with the subject heading: Daniel Pearl Fellowship Application.
For more information please check the official website.
