SAJA REPORTING FELLOWSHIPS
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.
Applications for the 2017 cycle are due on May 15, 2017. Please watch this space for more details in the coming weeks.
Questions to Nina Sen, Fellowships Coordinator: ninasen4 [at] yahoo.com
A total of up to $20,000 may be given out annually, divided among projects at SAJA's discretion. Each fellowship award is typically between $3,000-$7,000.
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.
These Fellowships, launched in 2005 to ensure follow-up reportage about the 2004 tsunami and its victims, were initially funded by SAJA members, corporate donors and friends of SAJA. For the last seven years, the SRF received a major financial boost thanks to the support of the Mahadeva Family Foundation, which will make an annual contribution of $20,000. Since 2015, SAJA has also received consistent financial support from the Dow Jones Foundation in the form of a significant conditional grant that is tied to SAJA demonstrating its ability to broaden its supporter base.
The fellowship is open to proposals on any in-depth topics covering South Asia or the South Asian Diaspora.
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. You will need a letter of interest from a publication.
The complete proposal
· Proposed project description and a plan for publication, in no more than 350 words.
· Preliminary budget estimate that includes a detailed proposed expense report.
· Samples of previously published work, either print, online or broadcast.
· Three professional references, which include at least one reference letter from an editor or producer showing interest in publication of your proposed project.
· Resume
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
Timeline for the fellowship process will be as follows:
1. Applicants will apply via saja.submittable.com/submit/61283
2. Once an applicant is chosen for the reporting fellowship, he/she would receive an email from the SRF committee, with a detailed list of deliverables in order to receive the grant. The deliverables would include the following:
· An updated photo of the applicant
· An updated bio
· Project title
· A summary introduction to the project (200 words)
· Introduction to the project (less than 30 words)
· Image for the project (to be provided once fellow lands in the country they are reporting in)
3. The applicant would get the first half of the amount allocated before leaving for the trip after agreeing to the terms of the fellowship that would include providing the information asked above. The second half of the fellowship amount would be given after providing reimbursable expense receipts (please allow 30-45 days after SAJA receives the receipts for your reimbursements to reach you) and the following:
· Primary article or Video or TV segment
· A minimum of two Tweets per day from the field, which will be made using an SRF-specific hashtag
· One slideshow of photographs sent from the field, to be published on SRF website
· A report detailing the reporting experience (approximately 800 words) written in first person as a reporter’s diary, to be published on SRF website.
The fellows would credit The South Asian Journalists Association on any and every story written and published from the field for all publications.
Judging:
A panel of judges will review the applications and make recommendations to the SAJA board. The SAJA board will make the final determinations on what amount of money will be awarded. Fellows 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 change other procedures relating to the fellowship program.
5. SAJA reserves the right to use recipients' head shots, bios and published work as part of their future marketing and fundraising purposes.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.saja.org/srf