The International Women’s Media Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2012-13 Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship, named for the 1998 IWMF Courage in Journalism Award winner and Boston Globe correspondent who was killed in Iraq in May 2003. Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2012, and the fellowship will run from September 2012 – March 2013.
This fellowship, created with Neuffer’s family and friends, aims to perpetuate her memory and advance her life mission of promoting international understanding of human rights and social justice while creating an opportunity for women journalists to build their skills.
One outstanding woman journalist will be selected to spend seven months in a tailored program with access to MIT’s Center for International Studies, as well as media outlets including the Boston Globe and The New York Times. The flexible structure of the program provides the fellow with opportunities to pursue academic research and hone her reporting skills covering topics related to human rights.
2011-2012 Neuffer Fellow, Jackee Batanda of Uganda, describes the fellowship as a “once in a lifetime opportunity. It has opened my voice to new audiences through writing op-eds in the Boston Globe, GlobalPost, Transitions/Foreign Policy Magazine blog, Latitude News and The New York Times. I recommend the IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship to women journalists around the world for the exposure it creates. It will make you a stronger and grounded journalist.”
The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is open to women journalists whose focus is human rights and social justice. Applicants must be dedicated to a career in journalism in print, broadcast or online media and show a strong commitment to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon the completion of the fellowship. Excellent written and spoken English skills are required. A stipend will be provided, and expenses, including airfare and housing, will be covered.
1. What is the goal of the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship?
The goal of the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is to provide a woman journalist with a transformative experience that will impact her career by offering her the opportunity to conduct research at leading academic institutions and build journalistic skills. The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship seeks to impact public awareness of human rights journalism by encouraging dialogue and discussion about critical human rights issues.
2. Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is open to women journalists worldwide whose work focuses on human rights and social justice. Journalists working in the print, broadcast and Internet media, including freelancers, are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience in journalism. Non-native English speakers must also have excellent written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program.
3. Where will the fellowship take place?
Each fellowship will be tailored specifically to the recipient. Working with the IWMF, the fellow will design a program that will enable her to pursue academic research while improving her ability to cover human rights and social justice by increasing her journalistic skills.
The fellow will be based at the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts as a research associate during the research component of the fellowship. During the journalism portion of the fellowship, she may spend time at the Boston Globe, The New York Times, and other media outlets.
4. How many fellows will be selected?
One journalist will be selected for the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship each year.
5. How will the fellow be selected?
The fellow will be selected by a committee made up of family and friends of Elizabeth Neuffer and IWMF Advisory Council members. Candidates will be judged on their completed applications, the caliber and promise of their work on human rights and social justice, and their personal statements explaining how the fellowship would be a transformative experience.
Finalists for the fellowship may be interviewed by the IWMF.
6. When will the selected fellow be notified?
All applicants will be notified about the committee’s selection by June 15, 2012.
7. When does the Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship program begin?
The seven-month program will begin in September 2012 and conclude in March 2013. The program will include both an orientation session at the start of the fellowship and a wrap-up at the end. The fellow must complete the entire program.
8. What expenses will be covered during the course of the fellowship?
A fixed stipend will be provided to cover housing, meals and ground transportation during the fellowship. Round-trip economy airfare will be covered from the fellow's home country or city to Washington, D.C., and from Washington, D.C., to the fellowship city. The fellow will also receive health insurance during the program. The fellowship does not provide salary or honoraria.
For fellows from outside of the United States, the fellowship also covers the costs of applying for and obtaining a U.S. visa.
The fellow will be fully responsible for any additional incidental expenses and other costs.
9. Will family members be able to accompany the fellow?
Family members are welcomed to accompany the fellow; however, IWMF will not be responsible for any arrangements or expenses related to family members, including support of visa applications.
10. How do I apply?
The following items constitute a completed application:
• Completed application form (including signature and date)
• Two completed recommendation forms
• English assessment form (for non-native English speakers only)
• Current resume or CV
• Three work samples
Applications should be submitted electronically to neuffer@iwmf.org. Electronic submission is strongly preferred.
If it is not possible to submit your application electronically, it can be submitted by mail, either regular post or international courier, to:
Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship
International Women's Media Foundation
1625 K Street, NW, Suite 1275
Washington, D.C. 20006
USA
11. What is the application deadline?
Completed applications must be received by the IWMF on or before April 30, 2012. Incomplete applications and applications that arrive after the due date will not be considered.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: neuffer@iwmf.org
For submissions: neuffer@iwmf.org
Website: http://iwmf.org
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