Deadline: 15 November 2010
As part of their mission to encourage in-depth coverage of South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora, SAJA and SAJA Group Inc are pleased to announce changes to its flagship SAJA Reporting Fellowship program (SRF), which will now provide greater flexibility while streamlining the application process.
Journalists will have two opportunities each year to apply for the fellowship, once each fall and spring, which we envision allows them to pitch more timely underreported pieces. The fall 2010 round opens Nov. 1, 2010 and the Spring round 2011 opens April 1, 2011.
The application process has also been simplified. Journalists will now submit a short application that asks for their pitch and credentials. If the application is approved by our judges, SAJA will ask for more details about the project.
With those changes in mind, SAJA and SAJA Group Inc. announces a call for submissions for the SAJA Reporting Fellowship. Open to freelancers and staff journalists in any medium, the fellowships are meant to encourage in-depth reporting projects by providing grants to cover a portion of reporting expenses.
A total of up to $20,000 may be given out annually, divided among projects or a single project at SAJA's discretion. Each fellowship award is typically between $3,000-$7,000.
In the 2010 Fall period, the fellowship is open to proposals on any in-depth topics covering South Asia or the South Asian Diaspora.
SAJA will start accepting preliminary proposals on starting Nov. 1 through Nov. 15. After reviewing the proposals and credentials, we will inform applicants whether we are interested in a full proposal. The deadline for the complete proposal, with supporting materials will be Nov. 30, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
To be eligible for this year's fellowship, applicants must:
* Have demonstrated experience in completing high-level, comprehensive journalistic projects.
* Produce content in the English language.
* Be able to publish or broadcast the finished work in North America (U.S. and Canada).
* Applicants need not be based in North America, but the final work MUST be published in a U.S. or Canadian media outlet.
* Be willing to work with an editor, chosen by SAJA, who will oversee the successful completion of the project.
* Be available to discuss the project at SAJA events, including but not limited to the annual SAJA convention and/or panel discussions.
* In addition, the news organization(s) that publish(es) or air(s) the finished work(s) must agree to provide a prominent credit to SAJA.
Preliminary proposals must include the following (Deadline to apply: Nov. 15 @ 11:59 pm):
* Working Title (10 words or less)
* Project idea (100 words or less).
* Why is it important to cover this story now? (75 words or less).
* Your credentials--why are you the right person to cover this story? (75 words or less).
If approved, you will be asked to submit a full proposal.
The complete proposal (Deadline to submit: Nov. 30 @ 11:59 pm):
* Project Proposal which describes the thesis of the project and explains why it's an important story. What is the news hook? Why should a news outlet publish, broadcast or post this story?
* A preliminary list of people to be interviewed.
* A DETAILED budget that spells out what expenses the fellowship funding will cover and how the rest of the project will be funded.
* A realistic timeline that shows SAJA's deadlines (see below) will be met.
* A resume and three work samples. We're looking for applicants with a successful track record in producing print, broadcast, radio, photographic or multimedia pieces. The applicant must provide the work samples either as URLs, attachments, or by cutting and pasting to the application. Broadcast applicants can also provide digital samples.
* Support letter(s). If the applicant is an employee of a U.S. or Canadian media outlet, a letter of support from the editor/employer/supervisor. The letter must show that the applicant's employer will give the applicant the time to report, produce and complete the work to meet our deadlines, as well as allot time for the fellow to speak about the project at SAJA events. The letter must show the company's willingness to share publication rights with SAJA after an initial, exclusive first-run period is over. The letter MUST also contain contact information for the employer.
* If the applicant is a freelancer, the proposal must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* Even a South Asia-based freelancer must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* An employee of a South Asia-based media company must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* A list of at least three references.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Timeline for the Fellowships is as follows:
Nov. 1, 2010: Applications process opens.
Nov, 15, 2010: Preliminary application deadline.
Nov. 30, 2010: Full application proposal (By invitation only if your preliminary proposal is accepted)
Jan. 10, 2011: SAJA fellows announced.
Between Feb. 1 - May 1, 2011: Reporting completed.
June 1, 2011: Finished project submitted to SAJA.
June 1 - 15, 2011: First-use period, for exclusive publication by the fellow's employer, or if a freelancer, by the media company with whom the freelancer is contracted.
June 16, 2011: SAJA disseminates the work widely, through the web, other media and panel discussions.
Judging: The pool of applicants will be narrowed down to approximately five finalists. A panel of judges will review the finalists, and rank the projects from first to last. The SAJA board will make the final determinations on what amount of money will be awarded. Finalists will be notified and expected to be available for interviews with the judges if necessary.
Disclaimer:
1. All decisions are final and subject to the discretion and judgment of the judges and the SAJA board.
2. SAJA board members and members of their families are not eligible to apply.
3. SAJA is not responsible for any financial or legal liabilities (or any other liabilities) that arise from the actions of the fellow(s).
4. SAJA reserves the right to amend or extend deadlines or changing other procedures relating to the fellowship program.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL:
After reading this page carefully, fill in the online form at http://bit.ly/srf2010.
This program is aimed at promoting a rare element in 24/7-news-cycle journalism -- in-depth and follow-up reporting on major events relating to South Asia or South Asians, long after the breaking-news crews have moved on.
Questions to Sandeep Junnarkar, Awards & Fellowships chair: sjnews at gmail.com
More information here.
As part of their mission to encourage in-depth coverage of South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora, SAJA and SAJA Group Inc are pleased to announce changes to its flagship SAJA Reporting Fellowship program (SRF), which will now provide greater flexibility while streamlining the application process.
Journalists will have two opportunities each year to apply for the fellowship, once each fall and spring, which we envision allows them to pitch more timely underreported pieces. The fall 2010 round opens Nov. 1, 2010 and the Spring round 2011 opens April 1, 2011.
The application process has also been simplified. Journalists will now submit a short application that asks for their pitch and credentials. If the application is approved by our judges, SAJA will ask for more details about the project.
With those changes in mind, SAJA and SAJA Group Inc. announces a call for submissions for the SAJA Reporting Fellowship. Open to freelancers and staff journalists in any medium, the fellowships are meant to encourage in-depth reporting projects by providing grants to cover a portion of reporting expenses.
A total of up to $20,000 may be given out annually, divided among projects or a single project at SAJA's discretion. Each fellowship award is typically between $3,000-$7,000.
In the 2010 Fall period, the fellowship is open to proposals on any in-depth topics covering South Asia or the South Asian Diaspora.
SAJA will start accepting preliminary proposals on starting Nov. 1 through Nov. 15. After reviewing the proposals and credentials, we will inform applicants whether we are interested in a full proposal. The deadline for the complete proposal, with supporting materials will be Nov. 30, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
To be eligible for this year's fellowship, applicants must:
* Have demonstrated experience in completing high-level, comprehensive journalistic projects.
* Produce content in the English language.
* Be able to publish or broadcast the finished work in North America (U.S. and Canada).
* Applicants need not be based in North America, but the final work MUST be published in a U.S. or Canadian media outlet.
* Be willing to work with an editor, chosen by SAJA, who will oversee the successful completion of the project.
* Be available to discuss the project at SAJA events, including but not limited to the annual SAJA convention and/or panel discussions.
* In addition, the news organization(s) that publish(es) or air(s) the finished work(s) must agree to provide a prominent credit to SAJA.
Preliminary proposals must include the following (Deadline to apply: Nov. 15 @ 11:59 pm):
* Working Title (10 words or less)
* Project idea (100 words or less).
* Why is it important to cover this story now? (75 words or less).
* Your credentials--why are you the right person to cover this story? (75 words or less).
If approved, you will be asked to submit a full proposal.
The complete proposal (Deadline to submit: Nov. 30 @ 11:59 pm):
* Project Proposal which describes the thesis of the project and explains why it's an important story. What is the news hook? Why should a news outlet publish, broadcast or post this story?
* A preliminary list of people to be interviewed.
* A DETAILED budget that spells out what expenses the fellowship funding will cover and how the rest of the project will be funded.
* A realistic timeline that shows SAJA's deadlines (see below) will be met.
* A resume and three work samples. We're looking for applicants with a successful track record in producing print, broadcast, radio, photographic or multimedia pieces. The applicant must provide the work samples either as URLs, attachments, or by cutting and pasting to the application. Broadcast applicants can also provide digital samples.
* Support letter(s). If the applicant is an employee of a U.S. or Canadian media outlet, a letter of support from the editor/employer/supervisor. The letter must show that the applicant's employer will give the applicant the time to report, produce and complete the work to meet our deadlines, as well as allot time for the fellow to speak about the project at SAJA events. The letter must show the company's willingness to share publication rights with SAJA after an initial, exclusive first-run period is over. The letter MUST also contain contact information for the employer.
* If the applicant is a freelancer, the proposal must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* Even a South Asia-based freelancer must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* An employee of a South Asia-based media company must include a letter from a U.S. or Canadian media outlet expressing support and a strong interest in running the piece.
* A list of at least three references.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Timeline for the Fellowships is as follows:
Nov. 1, 2010: Applications process opens.
Nov, 15, 2010: Preliminary application deadline.
Nov. 30, 2010: Full application proposal (By invitation only if your preliminary proposal is accepted)
Jan. 10, 2011: SAJA fellows announced.
Between Feb. 1 - May 1, 2011: Reporting completed.
June 1, 2011: Finished project submitted to SAJA.
June 1 - 15, 2011: First-use period, for exclusive publication by the fellow's employer, or if a freelancer, by the media company with whom the freelancer is contracted.
June 16, 2011: SAJA disseminates the work widely, through the web, other media and panel discussions.
Judging: The pool of applicants will be narrowed down to approximately five finalists. A panel of judges will review the finalists, and rank the projects from first to last. The SAJA board will make the final determinations on what amount of money will be awarded. Finalists will be notified and expected to be available for interviews with the judges if necessary.
Disclaimer:
1. All decisions are final and subject to the discretion and judgment of the judges and the SAJA board.
2. SAJA board members and members of their families are not eligible to apply.
3. SAJA is not responsible for any financial or legal liabilities (or any other liabilities) that arise from the actions of the fellow(s).
4. SAJA reserves the right to amend or extend deadlines or changing other procedures relating to the fellowship program.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PRELIMINARY PROPOSAL:
After reading this page carefully, fill in the online form at http://bit.ly/srf2010.
This program is aimed at promoting a rare element in 24/7-news-cycle journalism -- in-depth and follow-up reporting on major events relating to South Asia or South Asians, long after the breaking-news crews have moved on.
Questions to Sandeep Junnarkar, Awards & Fellowships chair: sjnews at gmail.com
More information here.
