Deadline: March 2, 2026
Applications are open for the Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026. The Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship awards financial support to individual journalists, authors, or writers from the United States or China for projects that enhance understanding between the two countries. This East-West Center fellowship is supported by a generous endowment from the Melvin M.S. Goo Memorial Fund.
Melvin MS Goo was a veteran journalist who led a 34-year career in the United States and Asia prior to his passing in 2016. Born in Macau and graduating high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Mr. Goo worked for 18 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at The Honolulu Advertiser. In 1977 he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Mr. Goo continued his career in Asia, rising to Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and later Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News.
Benefits
- The fellowship will award US$10,000 in financial support.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be nationals or permanent residents of either the United States or the People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong and Macau SARs).
- All applicants from both countries will be fully considered regardless of ethnicity or ancestral background.
The projects:
- May be produced in English or a Chinese language variety with an accompanying English translation; applications must be submitted in English.
- Must be published or otherwise made publicly accessible in the United States and/or China; potential mediums include publication in print, print or online periodicals, etc.
- Must be an original work; completed or published projects will not be considered.
- Must be completed and delivered (i.e. published or distributed) by December 2026.
Selection Criteria
Project proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of respected US-China experts and journalism professionals. The committee’s evaluations will be based on the following criteria:
- How the proposed project will promote better understanding between the people of the United States and China.
- A principal focus on underreported issues and/or topics related to economic security.
- Any presence of elements in conflict with the Fellowship’s mission, including divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
- Whether the project’s intended audience is sufficiently broad and/or influential to contribute to the Fellowship’s mission.
- Confidence that the project’s sources are sufficiently diverse, reliable, and well-informed.
- Creativity and impact.
Application
For more information, visit Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship.
