Deadline: February 19, 2018
The IWMF Reporting Fellowships to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic Of Congo in May 2018 is now open for applications. The IWMF will select two groups of women journalists to travel to Kigali and Kinshasa and will focus on Agriculture and Climate Change and Civic Engagement, respectively.
This opportunity is part of the African Great Lakes Reporting Initiative. Work from previous IWMF Great Lakes Fellows has been published and aired by leading media outlets around the world. The IWMF will continue to lead reporting trips to the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda through 2018.
About the Trips
The trip will take place from May 2nd until May 18th, which includes travel dates. All fellows will begin their trip in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will complete a comprehensive security training and an orientation about the Great Lakes Region and the reporting trip locations from May 3 to 6. Fellows will depart for 10 days of in-country reporting on May 7, and begin reporting from May 8 to May 17, and will have the opportunity to network with in-country journalists, collaborate with international peers, and access a wide range of sources and sites relevant to their reporting.
The IWMF reserves the right to change reporting locations based on the real-time security situations in both locations. The feasibility of day trips outside the base locations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and determined by IWMF security protocols.
Benefits
- The IWMF arranges travel and in-country logistics for all Fellows within the scope of the Fellowship base location and trip dates.
- The IWMF also covers Fellowship-related costs within the framework of the reporting trip including travel, lodging, meals, and fixers/interpreters, unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs.
- Visa costs will also be covered.
- Fellows living outside the U.S. are responsible for procuring all necessary visas, for which they will be reimbursed at the conclusion of the Fellowship.
Eligibility
- Affiliated or freelance women journalists with three (3) or more years of professional experience working in news media. Internships do not count toward professional experience.
- Women journalists of all nationalities are welcome to apply.
- Non-native English speakers must have professional written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program.
- Applicants must be able to show proof of interest from an editor or have a proven track record of publications in prominent media outlets.
Application Guidelines
- For each application cycle, applicants must choose one reporting trip to apply for.
- The application asks for the following: basic personal information, CV, work samples, a statement of interest including detailed story pitches, a plan for publication, and a letter of support from an editor or a proven track record of publication.
- All applications materials must be submitted in English.
- See a complete sample application here.
Application
Before submitting an application, journalists are encouraged to review the Reporting Fellowship FAQs.
For more information, visit IWMF Reporting Fellowships.
