Fellows will conduct overseas research and then submit articles to their local papers in an effort to "internationalize" America's local press. The fellowships are founded on the belief that local news is not limited to one's immediate community and that enterprising reporters and editors can find good international stories in their own backyards. The program is aimed at news managers, editors, commentary writers and other "gatekeepers" -- those desk editors largely responsible for selecting news agency and correspondent-initiated stories.

By supporting overseas research and writing projects for up to three weeks, the fellowships encourage the writing and selection of news articles, analysis, features, and commentary in the local press that will enhance American understanding of the relationship between local and international issues.

Program Administrators
The program is administered by the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ). The fellowships are funded by a grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation in Oklahoma City.

Selection and Eligibility
Up to 12 fellows from the United States will be selected and provided support to develop projects that will lead to articles in their home newspapers or in other U.S.-based publications. The articles will shed light on global issues that have a direct impact on their local communities. The World Affairs Journalism Fellowships are competitive, and fellows are selected and recruited according to several criteria:

• A record of quality achievement in a position at their home newspapers that allows the applicant to have a significant impact on determining news selection and placement;
• The submission of a thoughtful, coherent and well-structured proposal for a reporting and writing assignment that would be significantly enhanced by an opportunity to travel overseas for one to three weeks;
• A spirit of adventure and a curiosity about the link between global issues and the local community; and
• Enthusiasm for and understanding of the mission of the fellowship.

Click on the link to the "Project Proposal Guidelines" at the top of this page, for more information on the proposal to be submitted with the application. Potential fellows should pay close attention to the recommended structure for the project plan.

Program Timetable
The deadline for applications is March 9, 2007. The World Affairs Journalism Fellowship Selection Committee will meet in March for the selection of fellows. After selection, participants will take part in a mandatory week-long orientation program in Washington, D.C., from June 3-8. Following this session, the fellows will continue to refine their project proposals with the assistance of the fellowship administrators and will travel overseas on their individual one- to three-week assignment between June and September 2007. Articles based on work done through the fellowship should be published by mid-November, 2007.

Preparation
The Washington orientation program will provide a wide-ranging overview designed to prepare the fellows for their overseas assignments and to provide useful background for the projects they develop. The International Center for Journalists will work closely with each participant to help make the project as practical as possible, and will assist in establishing contacts and supporting partners in the overseas venues. However, each fellow will have the primary responsibility for identifying key contacts, interview subjects and on-site sources of information as well as planning their day-to-day itineraries during the overseas assignment. ICFJ will assist with the logistics for international and on-site travel, including accommodations.

Research and Writing
Once oriented, each participant will travel overseas for the fellowship on a schedule mutually agreed to by the administrators. Fellows are expected to work overseas for at least one week, and no more than three. The type of project - e.g., traveling to or through a region, interviewing individual contacts, researching and fact-finding - will depend upon the project designed by each participant. Each fellow will often work with local organizations, professional media associations, universities and/or individual media companies in fashioning an effective project.

The International Center for Journalists assists at all stages of preparation to help ensure that the experience is useful and that the fellows are made welcome in the assignment countries. Projects must be approved by the fellowship committee prior to departure overseas.

Post-Research
The goal of the program is to produce news articles, feature stories or commentary by each fellow that is published in his or her home town paper or in other U.S.-based media. In order to highlight the impact of the program, articles produced by participants will be compiled as a compendium and distributed to a wide range of media and organizations involved in international exchanges.

In addition, each participant will be expected to give a presentation to at least 20 other journalists about what he or she learned about connections between local communities and global issues. At the conclusion of the fellowship - by mid-November, 2007 -- each fellow is also required to complete a written program evaluation and provide a narrative summary of his or her overseas assignment.

Financial Information
While overseas, each fellow receives transportation and living expenses. Expenses will be based on the actual cost of traveling to and living in each country while carrying out the approved project. The program does not support spouses or companions on the overseas assignments.

Fellowship Application
The application package includes:

• guidelines for applying and preparing the project proposal
• an application form

Fellowship Deadline Summary

• March 9, 2007 - Application Deadline
• Late March - Fellow Notification
• June 3-8 - Washington, D.C.,
  One-week orientation program
• June through September - Participants travel overseas (up to three weeks)
• Mid-November - Articles published and reports completed

Program Description

Application

Guidelines

2007 Program Dates:

• March 9, 2007 - Application Deadline
• Late March - Fellow Notification
• June 3-8- Washington, D.C., One-week orientation program
• June through September - Participants travel overseas (up to three weeks)
• Mid-November - Articles published and reports completed