Deadline: August 21, 2018
Applications are invited from female journalists for the IWMF Cross-border Reporting Fellowship 2018. The IWMF will select journalists to travel to Kigali, Rwanda and Goma, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), from November 1 – 17, 2018.
While there is not a specific theme for either trip, IWMF encourages participants to prioritize fresh stories that focus on new media narratives from the region. They also encourage applicants to apply in pairs for this trip, however, all applications will be considered. Reporting fellows will begin their trip in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will complete a hostile environments and first-aid training (HEFAT) from November 1 – 4. Fellows will then depart for ten days of in-country reporting which will be split between Rwanda and the DRC. The group will have access to five days of in-country reporting (November 6 – 10) from the first country, followed by five days of in-country reporting in the second location (November 12 – 16).
The IWMF will determine the order of the Rwanda and DRC trips based on story plans of fellows selected. Fellows will have the opportunity to network with other journalists, report collaboratively with their teammates and peers, and gain access to a variety of sources and sites related to their reporting. The feasibility of day trips outside the base locations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and determined by IWMF security protocols.
Cost
- IWMF arranges travel and in-country logistics for all fellows;
- IWMF also covers fellowship-related costs within the framework of the reporting trip including travel, visa fees, lodging, meals and fixers/interpreters, unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs. 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
- Open to 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;
- Non-native English speakers must have excellent written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program;
- Applicant must be able to show proof of interest from an editor or have a proven track record of publication in prominent media outlets.
Application
Those applying in teams must both meet the eligibility criteria and submit a joint application. If selected, teams will be offered group interviews, while individuals will have their own interviews. The IWMF encourages team applications that include African journalists.
For team applicants: To apply, they recommend using a shared email address to create your Submittable account and submit your application. Each applicant must provide their personal information and work samples, in addition to submitting a shared statement of interest, story plans, plans for publication and letter of support. Application notifications sent through Submittable will go to the email address associated with the account.
For more information, visit IWMF Cross-border Reporting Fellowship.
