The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists is now accepting applications from professional journalists from developing countries for its 2016 fellowship program.
The application deadline is March 18, 2016.
The fellowships are available to radio, television, print and web journalists, age 25 to 35, from developing countries who are interested in coming to New York to report on international affairs during the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The fellowships will begin in early September and extend to late November and will include the cost of travel and accommodations in New York, as well as a per diem allowance.
The fellowship program is open to journalists who are native to one of the developing countries in Africa, Asia (including Pacific Island countries), Latin America and the Caribbean, and are currently working full-time for a bona fide media organization in a developing nation. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in and commitment to international affairs and to conveying a better understanding of the United Nations to their readers and audiences. They must also have approval from their media organizations to spend up to two months in New York to report from the United Nations.
In an effort to rotate recipient countries, the Fund will not consider journalist applications for 2016 from nations selected in 2015: Brazil, Ghana, India and Kenya. Journalists from these countries may apply in 2017.
Four journalists are selected each year after a review of all applications. The journalists who are awarded fellowships are given the incomparable opportunity to observe international diplomatic deliberations at the United Nations, to make professional contacts that will serve them for years to come, to interact with seasoned journalists from around the world, and to gain a broader perspective and understanding of matters of global concern. Many past fellows have risen to prominence in their professions and countries. The program is not intended to provide basic skills training to journalists, as all participants are media professionals.
Eligibility Criteria
The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists fellowships are open to individuals who:
- Are native of one of the developing countries of Africa, Asia (including Pacific Island nations), Latin America and the Caribbean. For 2015 only, the Fund will not accept applications from the countries of the 2015 Fellows – Brazil, Ghana, India, and Kenya -- in an effort to rotate recipient countries.
- Currently live in and write for media in a developing country.
- Are between the ages of 25 and 35.
- Have a very good command of the English language since United Nations press conferences and many documents are in English only.
- Are currently employed full-time as professional journalists for print, television, radio or internet media organizations.
- Have approval from their media organizations to spend up to three months in New York reporting from the United Nations.
- Receive a commitment from their media organizations that the reports they file during the term of the Fellowship will be used and that they will continue to be paid as employees.
