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National Foundation for India has a Media Fellowship Programme for young, mid-career journalists. The fellowships would allow them to take time off from their routine beats to research and publish articles/photo essays on issues concerning the less privileged, that need to be high on our society's agenda, but do not find mention there for a variety of reasons.

The fellowships support pursuit of in-depth, creative field research on these concerns and writing about them with adequate evidence - qualitative and quantitative - to impact the public policy and the domain of social consciousness.

Five fellowships will be awarded this year to print journalists out of which two fellowships will be awarded for projects with specific emphasis on conditions in rural areas. One fellowships will be awarded to photojournalists.

Additionally, fellowships under the following categories will also be awarded this year:

1. One fellowship to a print journalist from any of the following states - Rajasthan, West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka to write and publish articles on Malnutrition/Nutrition Security. Supported by the German Agro Action (GAA)

2. Fellowships to print journalists to research and publish articles on Distress Seasonal Migration and Education of Deprived Children. Supported by the American India Foundation and

3. One fellowship to a photojournalist to work on the issue of distress seasonal migration. Supported by the American India Foundation.

Journalists from small and regional language publications and non-metro areas are encouraged to apply. Women journalists are particularly welcome. Applicants must have demonstrated commitment to the development concerns of the less privileged in society.

Objectives

To create greater awareness in the media about local and national development priorities

To strengthen public opinion regarding the need to take positive measures to support people-centered development

To facilitate a process of sensitization to development issues amongst media professionals

To promote effective communication that draws attention to development concerns and

o facilitate a more informed development policy dialogue

Theme

A wide range of issues of importance to ordinary Indians, their battle for a better life and development related issues including Community Health, Elementary Education, Livelihood Security, Local Governance, Peace and Justice, and Gender Equity.

Duration

Six months spread over a year, if necessary.

Eligibility Criteria

The fellowships are open to journalists working in any of the regional and national dailies and associated media.

Freelancers frequently contributing to the press are encouraged to apply.

Early to mid-career status with 5 to 7 years of professional experience. Upper age limit is 40 years.

Out of the seven fellowships for print journalists, three would be awarded to journalists working in an Indian language newspaper.

The candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to a career in journalism and should have covered the issue in past.

This fellowship cannot be held simultaneously with any other fellowships or a similar scheme of financial assistance.

Only such journalists who have not availed of any fellowships in the preceding year will be eligible.

Application Guidelines

Applications for the Fellowship Programme can be submitted in English or in any other Indian language. Applicants must include the following in their submissions:

A brief curriculum vitae with details of work experience, educational qualification and awards and fellowships held in the past three years.

The fellows will be selected based on a proposal to be submitted either directly or through a sponsoring editor. The proposal in about 1000 words outlining the particular thematic area in which the applicant would like to work, should include details regarding the specific geographical location of the study, methodology, the relevance of the theme selected, as well as the contribution it can make to the larger development debate in the country. Specify language of written communication.

The grant for the photojournalist is to help him/her complete an on-going project of social importance.

In addition to the written proposal as outlined above photojournalists must submit 10 to 15 images (minimum prints size: 8 inch X 10 inch) directly relating to the project for which the grant is being sought. These images must be of high photographic standard conveying the applicant's grasp of using the language of photography.

Applicants should also submit a portfolio of their selected work. All photographs will be returned to applicants.

Clippings of 5 articles (print journalist) or five published photographs (photojournalist) must be sent along with the application. Three recent and two other articles of applicant's choice.

Articles/photographs must have a byline.

Two references with address and phone/fax numbers. Letter from editor, approving the candidate's application.

Freelance journalists should include two letters of recommendations from editors or media personalities familiar with their work

All applications must be typed. Handwritten and incomplete applications will not be considered.

General

The value of each fellowship, inclusive of honorarium, travel and contingency grant, is Rs 1,00,000.

The selected print journalist fellows will be expected to publish at least ten articles or reasonable number of photographs (in case of photojournalist) on the chosen subject during the period. Out of these at least three would be in-depth research articles/photo essays.

At the end of the fellowships period, the photojournalists will be expected to mount an exhibition of her/his works. The Foundation will meet an additional cost for mounting an exhibition for the photojournalist.

The Foundation has the right to use and/or reproduce wholly or partially the articles/photographs, arising out of the Fellowship Programme, in any of its publications, without any additional payment.

The support provided by the National Foundation for India Media Fellowships Programme should be suitably acknowledged in all the articles/photos.

The Foundation will facilitate wider publication/syndication of the articles/photo essays and assist in translation of those in regional languages, for wider dissemination.

Copyright and ownership of all work will rest with the awardees. The Foundation will get in touch with only the applicants who are selected for the fellowship programme.

The applications must reach the Programme Officer not later than August 30, 2007. The Foundation will be happy to give you more information about its activities as well as the Media Fellowship Programme.

Write to: Sentimongla Kechüchar National Foundation for India Zone IV A, Upper Ground Floor