Deadline: February 16, 2018
Applications are now accepted for the 2018 World Press Institute (WPI) Fellowship. Through its fellowship program, World Press Institute (WPI) brings international journalists to the U.S. to experience complexities of American life. 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 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.
The primary focus of the WPI fellowship program is Journalism — in particular, the role and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy. 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.
Benefits
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.
Eligibility
Any non U.S. journalist working outside of the United States with at least five years of professional journalistic experience in any medium. The program is open to journalists and photojournalists from newspapers, newsmagazines, wire services, radio, television and online news organizations.
- 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
Fellowship Terms
- 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.
Application
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, terms of the fellowship, and the guidelines for work samples and recommendations.
Complete the online application.
For more information, visit World Press Institute Fellowship.
