The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will soon be recruiting American journalists to take part in the second round of a two-year initiative – the “Russia-U.S. Young Media Professionals Exchange Program.” The first round of the month-long exchange took place in Nov./Dec. 2012.

ICFJ, which is implementing the program with a Russian partner, the Moscow Union of Journalists, has received a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to support its work in the program.

The Young Media Professionals Exchange Program is an outgrowth of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission’s working group on media. The program will offer participating journalists the chance to work in newsrooms and build professional relationships with one another and mutual understanding between their countries.

Application details will be posted shortly.

Applicants must be under 30 years of age, with at least three years of experience.
Strong preference will be given to candidates who speak English and Russian.

At the beginning of the exchange, the 12 selected U.S. journalists will spend several days meeting officials and media leaders in Moscow, while their 12 Russian counterparts do the same in Washington. They will then work at media organizations for as long as one month.

ICFJ will coordinate the selection of suitable U.S. news organizations for the Russian journalists, and the Moscow Union of Journalists will find media hosts for the American participants.

The Moscow Union of Journalists also will recruit the Russian participants as well as plan the program for the U.S. participants and cover their expenses in Russia.

A total of 48 young journalists from the United States and Russia will participate in the exchange program in 2012-13.

Read the press release.