The Dalla Lana Fellowship in Global Journalism

The Dalla Lana Fellowship is a unique opportunity for studying at the University of Toronto. The fellowship hires subject-matter experts from around the globe, train them to work as multimedia journalists, and mentor them. At the same time, fellows report, and file stories for 19 news organizations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The fellowship is unique in its concept. 

After graduating from the program, the fellows have already gained experience as a global reporters and are prepared to work with editors who require in-depth reporting.

Global Journalism Fellowship pillars 

The Fellowship curriculum combines mentored freelancing to global media with courses in multimedia journalism. Since the fellows' needs and referred fields are different, this fellowship is very flexible. The coaching continues for two years after the applicant graduates, for no additional fees.

This Global Journalism Fellowship is built on four pillars:

The Bootcamp (September to October)

The fellowship starts with a five-week boot camp where fellows learn the basics of journalism. This is the only portion of the curriculum that necessitates full-day participation. If constraints prevent in-person participation in Toronto, the fellowship offers remote boot camp instruction. Some components may be revised to reflect current industry practices and include previous fellows' comments. Under the guidance of a close mentor, felllowsl learn how to identify and report their first story. You'll begin to study journalism:

• Story ideas and news judgment

• Pitching

• Audio newsgathering

• Reporting essentials

• Structuring the 600-800 word news feature

• Meeting our partners

  
  Mentored Freelancing for News Companies Worldwide

With the proper mentorship, fellows with extensive expertise in a topic can immediately provide excellent value to news organizations as freelance journalists.

Arrangements for Primary Freelance Work. Each fellow is part of a pool that reports for members of our media network, including major US and Canadian news organizations. Other freelance work takes a back seat to this project.  

Classroom Curriculum (October to April)

The program provides 13 skills workshops on Tuesdays and Wednesdays following the boot camp to help fellows hone their journalism talents. If the weather permits, you can join on campus at the University of Toronto. If you live outside of Toronto, you can join the program through a live video conference – the experience will be the same. The curriculum varies from time to time to meet industry demands and to integrate comments from fellows, but it currently covers the following:

• Radio (Scripts and Performance)

• Clean Writing

• Interviewing Skills

• Investigative Journalism

• Podcasting

• Smartphone Photography

• Data Journalism

• Longform Journalism

• Freelance Tradecraft

• Performance

• Solutions Journalism

• CIUT Radio Program Workshop

If you wish to join an online Open House of the Program, follow the link. (https://www.dlsph.utoronto.ca/journalism/admissions/)

Two-year coaching after the program (May)

Through monthly bureau meetings with the program's bureau chiefs, fellows receive free journalism coaching for two years after the program ends. The monthly sessions can be attended in person in Toronto or online from anywhere in the world by fellows.

Fellows will get a Certificate in Global Journalism from the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Qualifications required for the Fellowship

The University seeks fellows who have high qualities and pursue success. They are recruiting up to 20 Fellows worldwide: 

• Hunger and Ambition

• Intellectual Rigour: Reliability and Discipline

• An Independent Mind, and the courage to Follow an Unconventional View

• Engagement, Excitement, and Collegiality

Admission Requirements

Applications will be looked through on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Specialization in a specific field. (Please apply only in the case if you are already familiar with the specialization and intend to report about it.) People with job experience in a profession and/or who have completed a Master's degree or higher in that discipline are normally considered.)

• To report on any specialty with authority, you must have a relevant graduate degree, professional degree, or job experience. 

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken language

Application Procedure and Material

Due to the limited available spots, the candidate should email the University about their intent to apply before starting the application.

Please send that email to: journalism.dlsph@utoronto.ca, under the subject line: "Last Name, First initial prepping application." (e.g., Kelly, B prepping application). 

When the applicant has completed all the requirements and is prepared to submit their full application, they should submit all of it as attachments or links, by email, to: journalism.dlsph@utoronto.ca.
The applicant should use "Lastname, first initial application" for the subject line. 

Below are all the listed documents that should be attached to your application

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Official Academic Transcripts and/or Professional Designation. (PDF scan)

• Official academic records from each University attended and/or an official form of your professional designation are required for admission.

• Two Story Proposals: Select two important stories in your field that have gotten insufficient media attention and pitch each of those stories separately in a 200-word proposal, stating why the story is essential and providing some evidence for the story you're suggesting.

• One Fully-Reported Story: Write a report on one of the tales you told. Please don't write an opinion piece; the committee would prefer to see a straightforward story that's well-researched and documented, and that incorporates facts gleaned from one or two sources through interviews—approximately 800 to 1000 words.

• Additional Communications Examples (if there are any): If you have any more writing or communications samples you'd like to share, please email up to three of them. They can take any form: blogs, essays, papers, video, or audio.

• Personal Essay: Describe why you're interested in this program. What is the topic area you want to cover as a reporter during the program, and how does your background qualify you to do so? (maximum 500 words)

• Statement of Integrity

• A printed and signed Statement of Agreement. 

• Two letters of recommendation from referees who are familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional work.

The referees need to email their letters directly to the University at journalism.dlsph@utoronto.ca, using the subject line "candidate's last name, candidate's first initial—reference." Candidate's referees should attest to your knowledge of your subject matter and their experience of the personal qualities the committee expects in a Fellow. 

Financing and Tuition 

Tuition is $18,000 CAD (14,187.717 US Dollars) for the eight-month program. Fellows receive free coaching for two years after the program through monthly online bureau meetings. Financially, this journalism program differs from conventional Master of Journalism programs in four key ways:

1) During the program, fellows can continue to work in their respective fields. You will receive assistance to strike a balance between your news reporting and your professional or academic work to satisfy your personal goals and needs. Nevertheless, it's crucial to remember that the Fellowship should be a priority during the program: (You will be enrolled in a four-day-a-week boot camp from September to October). Outside of the Fellowship, you will most likely be permitted to work a maximum of 12 hours per week throughout the remainder of the program. You'll have classes twice a week and spend the rest of your time reporting articles.)

2) You are not required to relocate. If situations prevent us from teaching the Bootcamp in person, we will do so online. Participants will attend the Bootcamp if conditions allow for in-class teaching and travel to Toronto. Fellows who are not based in Toronto will be able to return home once the five-week boot camp ends.

3) The Fellowship program can assist admitted Fellows with grant and financing applications to organizations in their sector.

4) To encourage a balance of international and Canadian students in the program, the charge is the same.

Financing Your Costs

Central Canadian banks may offer student credit to fellows who are Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Fellows who are not Canadian citizens or landed immigrants may be eligible for the same credit lines if their loans are co-signed by a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, or they may be eligible for financial assistance and loans from their home country.

Veterans of the United States military and past the United States Public Health Service employees can use the GI Bill to pay for their program. Fellows are not eligible for financial help from the University of Toronto or the Government of Ontario because this is a certificate program.

 For further information please click the "LINK TO ORIGINAL" button below.