Emerging Media Leaders is a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and administered by ICFJ. This Professional Fellows Program (PFP) is an exchange program for media professionals (journalists, technologists, and media entrepreneurs) from Latin America and the Caribbean to harness the power of digital tools and create viable news businesses that provide news and information in the public interest.
Through the program, media professionals from 21 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean have the opportunity to work directly with U.S. media organizations, develop entrepreneurship projects, and improve their skills in areas such as investigative journalism, fact-checking, and podcasting, as well as non-journalistic skills, such as how to build a sustainable business model.
U.S. media professionals also have the opportunity to do study tours abroad, interact with media outlets throughout the hemisphere, and build lasting relationships with other participants and communities.
The six-week program includes:
- One week of orientation led by ICFJ. Fellows receive hands-on training on digital tools and techniques and have opportunities to workshop their project proposals with other media innovators in a safe space for collaboration and learning. The orientation takes place in Washington, DC.
- Four weeks of professional newsroom embedments. The program pairs fellows with U.S. newsrooms, digital communications firms, startup incubators, based on the fellows’ backgrounds, skills, and project proposals. During the newsroom embedments, fellows will have opportunities to meet and learn from different teams in the newsrooms.
- Professional Fellows Congress - The congress takes place in Washington, DC and is a great opportunity to network, learn and meet Professional Fellows from different industries and parts of the world.
Program dates for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 Latin American fellows:
The selection process for both cohorts (Fall 2023 and Spring 2024) will be conducted together accordingly to the dates below:
- Recruitment of fellows: March 13 to April 10, 2023
- Selection of fellows: April 11 to June 19, 2023
Fall 2023 |
Spring 2024: |
|
Arrival in the United States: September 2, 2023 Orientation in Washington DC: September 4 to September 8, 2023 Newsroom Embedment: September 11 to October 6, 2023 Travel back to Washington DC: October 9, 2023 Professional Fellows Congress in DC: October 9 to October 12, 2023 Depart the United States: October 13, 2023 Program Debrief (virtual): October 30, 2023 |
Arrival in the United States: May 4, 2024 Orientation in Washington DC: May 6 to May 10, 2024 Newsroom Embedment: May 13 to June 7, 2024 Travel back to Washington D.C.: June 10, 2024 Professional Fellows Congress in DC: June 10 to June 13, 2024 Depart the United States: June 14, 2024 Program Debrief (virtual): June 28, 2024 |
Program Eligibility
The program is open to young professionals and emerging leaders who:
✅ Are between the ages of 25 and 40;
✅ Are from one of the 21 eligible countries;
✅ Are citizens or permanent residents of their home country;
✅ Are living and working in their home country at the time of application;
✅ Have at least two years of professional experience at the time of application;
✅ Submit a complete application, with all required documents, by the application deadline;
✅ Are able to begin the Professional Fellows Program in the United States in 2023/2024;
✅ Are able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa;
✅ Are committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program;
✅ Are proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.
Note:
In response to the ongoing global pandemic, the Emerging Media Leaders Professional Fellows program may be offered as a hybrid program with virtual activities leading up to a U.S.-based exchange. Please note: the in-person, U.S.-based exchange is contingent upon favorable travel conditions. In the event there are travel restrictions, or other factors which could adversely impact the health, safety and welfare of program participants, host organizations, and local communities, The Program may postpone or pivot the planned in-person U.S.-based exchange to virtual programming. Emerging Media Leaders will follow available national and local public health guidance when making decisions related to program activities.
Skills developed in this program:
During the fellowship, journalists are encouraged to develop skills to support their work in a wide range of areas, including:
Learn More
This is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by ICFJ.
