SAARC Media Fellowship for Journalists from SMRC Region (South Asia)

Deadline: 30 April 2012

The SAARC Information Centre, Kathmandu offers five SAARC Media Fellowships of the value of US$ 4000 each to the media persons of SAARC region. The fellowships, with duration of 4 to 6 months, are meant for research and publication of articles/photos, essays on issues related to regional cooperation.

2. Indian nationals working as journalist in any of the regional or national dailies and associated media, including freelancers frequently contributing to the press, covering international issues may apply to. Detailed information on the SAARC Media Fellowship is attached.

3. Application, complete in all respect, should reach on or before 10 April, 2012 to Under Secretary (XP), External Publicity Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 00 Email: usxps1@gmail.com.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SAARC lnformation Centre has institutionalized a SAARC Media Fellowship which will be awarded to the media persons of SAARC region.

SAARC Media Fellowship Programme is meant for the young, mid-career journalists from SMRC region. The fellowships would allow them to take time off from their routine SAARC beats to research and publish articles/photos, essays on issues concerning about regional cooperation and in turn to promote people to people to contact by writing feature stories on SAARC countries.

The fellowship supports pursuit of in-depth, creative field research on these concerns and writing about them with adequate evidence qualitative and quantitative - to impact the public policy and the domain of social consciousness.

SAARC Media fellowships will be awarded to the journalists who are writing on SAARC or covering international issues in the renowned Daily Papers in the respective, Member Countries. The Students of Journalism and Officers Trainee while undergoing their initial training courses at National Media lnstitutes of the Member Countries would be encouraged to apply for the fellowship individually or in a group.

OBJECTIVES:

• To create greater awareness in the media about local and national development priorities especially SAARC issues;
• To strengthen public opinion regarding the need to take positive measures to support people-centered development and people to people contact;
• To facilitate a process of sensitization to development issues amongst media professionals;
• To promote effective communication that draws attention to development concerns; and
• To facilitate a more informed development policy dialogue.

Duration: 4 to 6 months

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• The fellowships are open to journalists working in any of the regional and national dailies and associated media. Freelancers frequently contributing to the press are encouraged to apply.
• Early to mid-career status with 5 to 7 years of professional experience. Upper age limit is 40 years.
• Out of the five fellowships for print journalists, three would be awarded to journalists working in English newspapers.
• The candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to a career in journalism and should have covered the issue in past.

This fellowship cannot be held simultaneously with any other fellowships or a similar scheme of financial assistance. Only such journalists who have not availed of any fellowships in the preceding year will be eligible.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

Applications for the Fellowship Programme can be submitted in English. Applicants must include the following in their submissions:

• A brief curriculum-vitae with details of work experience, awards and fellowships held in the past three Years.
• The fellows will be selected based on a proposal to be submitted through Ministry of External Affairs through a sponsoring editor. The proposal in about 1OO0 words outlining the particular thematic area in which the applicant would like to work, should include details regarding the specific geographical location of the study, methodology, the relevance of the theme selected, as well as the contribution it can make to the larger development debate in the country and mention the language of written communication'
• Clippings of 5 articles (print journalist) must be sent (about SAARC issues) along with the application. Three recent and two other articles of applicant's choice.
• Two references with address and phone/fax numbers.
• Letter from their editor or Head of the Department, approving their application.
• Freelance journalists should include two letters of recommendations from editors or media personalities familiar with their work'
• The grant for the photojournalist is to help him/her complete an on-going project of social importance.
• The Committee for SAARC Media Fellowship will decide fellowships to be given to the Journalists and will get in touch with only those applicants who are selected for the fellowship programme.
• All applications must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be considered'
• The last date of receiving applications is April 30, 2012'

VALUE OF THE FELLOWSHIP:

The value of each fellowship, inclusive of honorarium, travel and contingency grant, is USD 4000. The selected journalist fellows will be expected to publish at least ten articles or reasonable number of articles in English language.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: usxps1@gmail.com

For submissions: Under Secretary (XP), External Publicity Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi – 110 00

Website: http://meaindia.nic.in/