The recent global recession has brought immigration and integration issues back into the spotlight, especially in Europe and the United States. Yet, with media outlets facing drastic job and budget cuts, it has become more challenging for journalists to undertake in-depth or investigative reporting projects on immigration.

With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, the French-American Foundation is launching the Immigration Journalism Fellowship. This first of its kind Fellowship aims to provide media professionals with the financial means to produce objective and challenging material on one of the most heated and controversial contemporary issues. To that end, the French-American Foundation will award fellows up to $10,000 for their work, to be completed over a 4-6 month period.

The fellowship is open to experienced journalists of any nationality and with an interest in questions of immigration and integration. The French American Foundation will pay special attention to innovative and groundbreaking material. We are looking for visionary, uncovered and meaningful stories with the potential to advance public debate. Both creative content and format will draw our particular attention. All types of stories will be considered (local, global, cultural, economic, etc.), as long as they comply with journalism ethics of fairness and responsibility.

Eligibility Requirements:
The French-American Foundation and its Media Advisory Committee will consider Media professionals:

• from all types of media (print, web, broadcast, documentary, etc.);
• with a minimum of three years of professionalism journalism experience and outstanding achievements in the field;
• of all nationalities (note that the work produced as part of the fellowship must be published in the United States or in Europe);
• with the ability to work in either English or French (the final work must be published in English or French);
• with a prior commitment from a media organization to publish the work produced.

Applications will be evaluated according to the proposed reporting projects:

• originality and innovation;
• potential for a tangible and lasting impact on journalists and the general public;
• potential for adaptation to different media (video, podcasts, radio, etc.).

Journalists can apply individually, but publications and media organizations are encouraged to submit the names of journalists. Teams of up to three journalists can also apply for a single fellowship and share the funds towards completing their project. Freelancers are eligible to apply as well.

Please note that the fellowship will not pay salaries for journalists on the program but will offer the possibility of a stipend. In addition, it will not cover the costs of a traveling companion, and each fellow can only obtain financing for one project at a time.

At the end of the fellowship, selected fellows will be invited to attend a closing ceremony in New York.

Immigration Journalism Fellowship Timeline

1. Wednesday, November 16th, 2011 at 12:00 PM EST: deadline for submissions.
2. Second half of November 2011: the French-American Foundation selects the most outstanding projects. Shortlisted applicants may be required to participate in an in-person or phone/Skype interview.
3. First half of December 2011: the Media Advisory Board reviews chosen projects and selects the fellows.
4. First half of January 2012: fellows announced.
5. Monday, February 13th, 2012: reporting period officially starts (Fellowship lasts a maximum of 6 months).
6. Monday, August 13th, 2012: Fellowship is completed.
7. September 30 2012: work produced during the Fellowship is published.
8. Second half of October, 2012: closing ceremony in New York, NY.

I am a journalist with reporting ideas related to immigration and integration, but I am not a specialist on these issues. Can I still apply?
Yes! The Immigration Journalism Fellowship is open to all journalists with an interest in the topics of immigration and integration.

Can more than one person apply to the fellowship and work on a single project as a team?
Yes, we will be accepting applications of up to three people for a single project.

How much experience as a journalist do I need to qualify for this fellowship?
The Immigration Journalism Fellowship is open to journalists with at least three years of professional journalism experience.

I am ready to apply but am still missing a few documents. Can I still be considered for the fellowship?
Incomplete applications will not be considered. However, if you encounter difficulties during the application process, feel free to contact us at journalism@frenchamerican.org.

I work full-time as a journalist. Does that mean I need to take a leave of absence to complete the fellowship?
No, we expect applicants in this situation to submit a project that is realistic and that can be completed despite their full-time status.

Can I apply in a language other than French or English?
As part of the application, you can submit work samples in a foreign language as long as you make sure to provide us with summaries of each piece in English. However, please note that as part of the fellowship, the final project will have to be produced in either French or English.

I am an executive at a media organization. Can I submit applications for members of my staff?
Yes, we encourage media outlets to submit the application of their most promising staff members.

I have story ideas related to immigration and integration, but not in France or the United States. Can I still apply?
There are no geographic restrictions as part of this fellowship, as long as applicants submit interesting and realistic projects that will be in English or French and published in the U.S. or Europe.

How and when will the fellowship funds be dispersed?
The French-American Foundation will work with each fellow on a case by case basis. Typically, the funds will be dispersed in three separate installments.

How will you determine the amount of the fellowship?
The French-American Foundation will calculate the amount of funding according to your project description, budget and timeline. $10,000 is the maximum amount each fellow can receive.

Will all fellows be invited to attend the awards ceremony?
Unfortunately, the French-American Foundation will not be able to invite all of the Fellows to attend the awards ceremony.

I have already started working on a reporting project with the support of other funders but I need more funding. I would like to apply to this fellowship to pursue my work. Can my project qualify?
Yes! The French-American Foundation will consider outstanding projects that are already underway and/or are in need of extra funding.

For all other questions, please contact us at: journalism@frenchamerican.org

For more information, please visit official website: equality.frenchamerican.org.

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