The goal of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism is to enhance public understanding of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses. Working journalists tackle timely and unique topics in the field of mental health.

What the Fellowships Offer

• Professional Development: Fellows come to The Carter Center for training and then work on their projects from their own newsrooms or offices, maintaining complete independence. Fellows participate in advisory groups with mental health experts and other fellows that meet quarterly.
• Stipends: Six U.S. fellows are awarded stipends of $10,000 each. International fellows receive a comparable stipend in their own currency.
• Flexibility: The fellowships do not require recipients to leave their places of employment; fellows control the schedule of their project work.
• Unique Projects: Fellows are encouraged to choose timely topics that may educate the public and/or raise awareness. Use of new and emerging media is welcomed, and fellowships are tailored to suit the needs, interests, and experiences of each fellow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to apply?
Applicants must have at least three years of professional journalism experience and submit a full fellowship application. Recipients must attend meetings at The Carter Center in September at the beginning and end of the fellowship year.

Should I reapply for a fellowship if I did not receive one in the past?
It is the choice of the applicant to reapply, however, being a former applicant does not carry weight in the application review process. There have been cases when an applicant is awarded a fellowship after several denied submissions.

Who is the best person to write my letters of support and/or recommendation?
The letter should be written by someone familiar with the applicant’s professional work and can speak to his/her journalistic abilities. Because the feasibility of a project is weighted heavily, it is ideal to have letters contributed by individuals that have decision-making authority related to the project (such as collaborators, editors, publishers, financial supporters). Letters from friends or relatives are discouraged.

How will I know when my application has been received?
The applicant will receive an e-mail from the fellowship program once every component of the application has been received, including the recommendation letters.

Will I receive feedback on my application?
Due to the high volume of interest in the fellowship, program staff are unable to provide individual feedback on applications. Remember that the application should address the following: feasibility of completing the project, timeliness of the topic, and the topic’s potential impact on reducing stigma.

More info: http://www.cartercenter.org/

• Sheikh Kamal Adham Fellowships, The American University in Cairo, Egypt
• PhD Studentship in Children’s Critical Care, Liverpool John Moores University, UK
• Master Scholarships in Journalism, Cardiff University, UK
• Knight Fellowships for International Professional Journalists, Stanford University, USA
• Journalism Fellowship Programme, Reuters Institute, University of Oxford, UK
• Human Rights Watch Fellowships, USA
• AJHA National Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of North Carolina, USA
• MA Studentships, School of Journalism, Media and Communication, University of Central Lancashire, UK
• Reham al-Farra International Scholarship in Journalism, Bournemouth University, UK
• Research Studentships in Criminology, University of Leicester, UK