Apply Now: 2024 Jefferson Fellowships Opportunity for Journalists

The 2024 Jefferson Fellowship for Journalists students is now open for application. This fellowship presents an opportunity for journalism students who are enthusiastic about multinational issues and are keen to broaden their knowledge on crucial topics in the United States and Asia Pacific.

This year’s Fellowship theme is “Partnerships, Postures, and Perils: Assessing East Asia Security and Economic Environments,”. By the end of this fellowship, students will have a broad understanding of multinational topics, which will benefit their academics.

Participants will gain valuable insights through a three-week program of dialogue, study, and travel. The program will begin at the East-West Center in Honolulu. Fellows will take part in roundtable discussions with peers, US officials, and regional analysts to understand the US perspective on security, regional order, and the implications of the November elections.

Following this, the Fellows will go to the Philippines and Taiwan to get information from government leaders, business experts, academic specialists, and local journalists. This will help them understand how security and economic pressures are changing and how new alliances are forming in response to these changes.

The program brings together perspectives from China, Japan, and other key players to provide a well-rounded analysis. It aims to empower journalists to produce high-quality reporting that enhances public discourse and understanding of critical issues.

The Jefferson Fellowships 2024 presents an exciting opportunity for journalists to delve into the complex and interconnected political and economic landscapes of the Indo-Pacific region. This program will provide participants with the unique chance to engage in in-depth discussions with influential figures, allowing them to gain insights into a wide range of future scenarios and policy options.

Eligible Countries

All selected applicants will enjoy:

• Support from organizations that provide sponsorship to the program.
• Opportunity to meet like-minded journalists and network with them
• Personal aid takes you to organized programs, meetings, and one-on-one meetings with program speakers.
• Feeding and pocket money for your upkeep.
• Return trip and transportation costs will be taken care of.
• Accommodation will be provided.
• Interpreters will be provided to journalists who struggle to comprehend the English language.

Note:

Applicants must submit a short video of 15 minutes stating their experience and how other participants can benefit from it.

Again, a brief letter of 1,500 words should be submitted weeks before the program. The letter should discuss the main theme of the Fellowship program and measures put in place by other journalists and your Government to solve these issues.

To qualify, An applicant should:

• Have at least five years of working experience.
• Be able to speak and write English fluently.
• Be working in the media industry in the USA, or any of the Asia Pacific countries or regions.
• Be a journalist based in the United States or one of the eligible Asia-Pacific countries or territories.
• Be able to work in print, broadcast, or online media.:
• Be able to clearly explain how the program’s theme relates to their coverage areas.
• Be able to detail how they plan to apply the new knowledge to enhance the perspectives of their audience.

Additional information applicants should note:

• Applicants are expected to take care of their visa fees and all other expenses related to their traveling.
• Applicant’s parent organizations are expected to support the program cost because of the limited number of scholarships available.
• Applicants are to pay USD$800.00 to support costs not catered for by the program. In addition, fellows bear the cost of any applicable luggage fees, health insurance, and visa-related charges.
• Media organizations’ willingness to spend in participating journalists and their dedication to the program’s worth are perceived as indicators of their cost-sharing arrangement.
• Each applicant must submit an “Employer’s Statement of Support” outlining cost sharing. It is also acceptable for journalists to locate additional sponsors – such as regional foundations – or to offer cost-sharing on their own. Kindly indicate who is covering the cost-sharing on a second copy of the Employer Statement of Support form.

Application deadline

All interested journalists should submit their applications for the 2024 Jefferson Fellowship by 13th June 2024

Steps to Apply for the 2024 Jefferson Fellowships:

All interested Student Journalists are required to submit the following information for evaluation and consideration;

• Fill out the online application form here:
• Submit your CV indicating your work experience. Note that the CV should not be more than two pages
• Submit a letter to indicate your interest in the Fellowship program. The letter of interest should not be more than 3 pages and nicely spaced. Information needed in the Letter of interest includes;
  • A summary of the media house you work for or indicate if you are a freelance journalist. Indicate the role you play and your contribution over the years.
  • State your expectations for the program and how it will benefit your journalism career
• A letter from the media house you work for indicating their full support of your application. Freelance journalists are exempted.
• Lastly, submit a letter of recommendation with a maximum of two professional referees.