IWMF Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship for Female Journalists (Funded to MIT, Boston USA) 2018

Application Deadline: 6th March 2018

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts

About the Award: The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship provides academic and professional opportunities to advance the reporting skills of women journalists who focus on human rights and social justice.
The Neuffer Fellowship is designed for affiliated or freelance women journalists with at least three years of professional experience in journalism working in print, broadcast, or digital media.
The Fellow will complete research and coursework at MIT’s Center for International Studies and journalism internships at The Boston Globe and The New York Times.
The flexible structure of the program will provide the fellow with opportunities to pursue academic research and hone her reporting skills.
Past fellows have taken advantage of opportunities to publish work under their byline through various media outlets.

Type: Fellowship (Career)

Eligibility: 

• The Elizabeth Neuffer Fellowship is open to women journalists worldwide whose work focuses on human rights and social justice issues.
• Journalists working in print, broadcast and/or Internet-based media, including freelancers, are eligible to apply.
• Applicants must have a minimum of three years professional experience working full-time in news media. Internships do not count toward professional experience.
• All nationalities are welcome to apply but non-native English speakers must have excellent written and verbal English skills in order to fully participate in and benefit from the program.

Selection: The fellow will be selected by a committee made up of family and friends of Elizabeth Neuffer and IWMF Advisory Council members. Consideration of candidates will be based on their complete applications, the caliber and promise of their reporting on human rights and social justice issues, and their personal statements explaining how the fellowship would be a transformative experience for their careers. Finalists for the fellowship may be interviewed by the IWMF and the Fellowship selection committee.

Number of Awardees: Not specified

Value of Fellowship: 

• A fixed monthly stipend will be provided to cover housing, meals, and ground transportation during the fellowship.
• Round-trip economy airfare will be purchased from the fellow’s place of residence to Washington, D.C., and from Washington, D.C., to the fellowship city.
• The fellow will receive health insurance during the program.
• The fellowship does not include a salary.
• For fellows residing outside of the United States, the fellowship also covers the costs of applying for and obtaining a U.S. visa.
• The fellow will be fully responsible for any additional incidental expenses and other costs.

During this fellowship, the selected journalist will have the chance to complete research and coursework at MIT’s Center for International Studies and participate in internships with media outlets including The Boston Globe and The New York Times. The flexible structure of the program allows Fellows to pursue academic research and hone reporting skills. Past Fellows have taken advantage of opportunities to publish work under their bylines through various media outlets. Fellows have explored a wide range of under-reported issues including gender-based violence, indigenous rights, and religious intolerance.

Duration of Fellowship: Seven months

How to Apply: Submit a complete online application form with the following information:

• Current resume or CV
• Statement of Interest with Fellowship Goals
• Two work samples (links preferred)
• Two letters of recommendation

Visit Fellowship Webpage for details

Award Provider:  The Boston Globe, New York Times,

Important Notes: Family members are welcome to accompany the fellow. However, the IWMF will not be responsible for any arrangements or expenses related to the travel and residence of family members, including support of visa applications.