The WPI fellowship is offered to 10 journalists from countries around the world. It provides immersion into the governance, politics, business, media, journalistic ethics and culture of the United States for experienced international journalists, through a demanding schedule of study, travel and interviews throughout the country.
The program begins in mid-August and ends in mid-October. The 2015 Fellowship Program has ended. Applications for the 2016 program will open on December 1, 2015 and close on February 15, 2016.
The fellows will spend three weeks in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and then travel to several U.S. cities, including New York and Washington, D.C., for briefings, interviews and visits. They will return to Minnesota for the final week of the program. See the Program Review - http://worldpressinstitute.org/2015_program_reviewfor examples of WPI events.
Journalism — in particular, the role and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy— is the primary focus of the WPI fellowship program. First-hand knowledge of the complexity and diversity of life in the U.S. is an equally important goal. Access is the key. Over the term of the fellowship, WPI fellows gain access to a broad range of individuals and institutions ranging from the world-renowned to the ordinary.
Since 1961, WPI has brought almost 600 journalists from nearly 100 countries to the United States.
Selection is a competitive process. Each year hundreds of journalists apply to the program. Fellows are picked by the WPI selection committee, composed of journalists and corporate communications specialists, all with international experience. Candidates are not considered if their application package is late or incomplete.
WPI pays all program costs, including transportation to the U.S. and back, all transportation within the U.S. related to the WPI program, and all lodging costs. In addition, a modest daily per diem for food is provided. Personal expenses, such as cameras, film, postage and clothing, are the responsibility of the fellows.
WPI is committed to achieving racial and gender equity in its selection of fellows, topics and persons interviewed.
How to Apply
Thank you for your interest in a WPI Fellowship. The 2015 Fellowship Program has ended. Applications for the 2016 program will open on December 1, 2015 and close on February 15, 2016. Please read the information below. The link to the actual application can be found at the bottom of this page.
Selection is a competitive process. Each year hundreds of journalists apply to the program. Fellows are picked by the WPI selection committee, composed of journalists and corporate communications specialists, all with international experience. Finalists for the fellowship will announced by email.
During this online application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- Applicant information
- Employment history and education
- Two essays are required as part of the online application. They are:
- Please describe your professional goals and achievements (in 200-500 words)
- Why are you seeking a WPI Fellowship? What do you expect to gain? What do you expect to contribute? (200-500 words)
- Color photo of yourself
- Work samples
- Awards, fellowships,
- Three letters of recommendation
Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements - http://worldpressinstitute.org/apply#eligibility, terms of the fellowship - http://worldpressinstitute.org/apply#terms, and the guidelines for work samples - http://worldpressinstitute.org/apply#samplesand recommendations - http://worldpressinstitute.org/apply#recommendations.
Finalists for the fellowship will announced in early May. Please note that due to the number of applications received, we cannot respond to individual requests as to status. You will receive an email from WPI sometime in May telling you whether you have received a fellowship or not.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least five (5) years full-time employment in print, broadcast, or online journalism.
Journalists can work for news or editorial departments of newspapers, wire services, radio, television, web sites, online publications or magazines of general public interest.
Photojournalists, editorial cartoonists, columnists and broadcast producers are also eligible.
Those who supervise journalists are eligible providing that they also have at least five years as a working journalist.
Any journalism-related work completed as a university student does not count toward experience. People who work in public relations or at organizations whose primary business is not the media are not eligible.
- Must be currently employed as a non U.S. journalist working outside of the United States.
- Fluency in both written and spoken English.
- Potential for leadership
Terms of the Fellowship
WPI fellows are required to prepare for and participate in all briefings and all other scheduled WPI events. They must agree to stay for the entire program and to return to their home countries at the program's conclusion.
WPI requires that fellows write for the WPI Web site, including the blog, WPI Reports, and submit up to three stories for WPI's online partners during their fellowship. They are also encouraged to file for their readers, listeners or viewers back home.
Periodic reviews and evaluations are required, and WPI fellows participate in several roundtable discussions about their insights into the U.S. or international journalism issues.
Fellows must have a tolerance for others of different cultures. The program involves a lot of travel, is nonstop, and fellows live out of suitcases much of the time as venues change frequently.
Violations of these terms could result in termination from the program
Letters of Recommendation
During the online application process, you will need to provide the names and email addresses of three (3) references. WPI will contact them with information on how they can submit online letters of recommendation.
- Recommendations should be written by individuals familiar with your work who can comment on your journalistic abilities and potential for growth and leadership. These letters should be in English and address your experience, qualifications, and potential.
- One of the three recommendation should be from your immediate supervisor.
Work Samples
Please make sure all samples contain the date on which they were published. Most, if not all, of your samples should have been published or aired within the last two years.
If your samples are not in English, please include an English summary of their contents
Work samples can be uploaded with the online application. Files with the following extensions are accepted: .pdf, .txt, .rtf, .doc, .mp3. For photos or other artwork, .jpg/.jpeg, .gif, or .pdf files are accepted.
DVDs, audio/video files, or samples that exist only on paper and that cannot be converted to digital form can be sent to the address below. Please note that samples cannot be returned.
World Press Institute
3415 University Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55114 USA
1. Print Journalists
- Writers: Submit three (3) samples of published work that has your byline.
- Editors: Submit a statement describing your job. You may include copies of published work along with a description of your role in these samples. For published work, follow the instructions above.
- Photographers: Submit a portfolio with five (5) published samples. Files with the following extensions are accepted: jpg/jpeg, gif, or pdf.
- Do not send complete newspapers, magazines, books, or unpublished manuscripts.
2. Broadcast Journalists
- Submit a DVD or CD with no more than 30 minutes of work. Include a written synopsis of each work with a brief description of your involvement. Links to work samples on YouTube, publicly shared Dropbox files and broadcasters’ websites also are accepted.
3. Online Journalists
- Submit samples equivalent to three (3) print articles or 30 minutes of programming. You can submit your work by providing a link if the segment is still online. Also include what your involvement was with each sample.
- Your samples must be journalistic in nature and demonstrate that your job involves news gathering, writing, editing, or producing.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://worldpressinstitute.org/fellowship