“Fragile: The Human Condition.”

Application Deadline: October 31st, 2015.

The Student Media Grant is an annual opportunity offered to students interested in using innovative methods to research and chronicle issues facing fragile and conflict-affected nations. This grant was inspired by Howard G. Buffett’s use of photography to document the nexus of conflict and development in “Fragile: The Human Condition.”

The selected students will spend at least three months next year engaged in and documenting an international development issue that reflects the challenges faced by fragile and conflict-affected nations, including but not limited to food insecurity, health, youth employment, land tenure and poverty. Past grant winners have produced media based on projects and research in Mali, India, Perú, Kenya, Haiti and other locations around the globe.

During their experience, students will be required to:

• Demonstrate a minimum three-month engagement with international development issues through extension activities, internships, student research, or other pursuits;
• Create a multimedia deliverable for ConDev (the Center on Conflict and Development at Texas A&M)’s social media and/or website and document their chosen subjects through photo, video, radio or some other form of media that draws attention to conflict and development issues;
• Publish or exhibit their work in a form of refereed media with the possibility of publishing with Texas A&M University Press.

Eligibility Requirements:

• The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at an accredited university worldwide.
• Students graduating in May 2016 are also eligible to apply.

Proposal Format

• No more than four (8.5”×11”) pages
• 12 point, Times New Roman font

Students should submit proposals that describe their anticipated travel, research, and photographic subjects or activities.

Proposals must include:

• A cover sheet including:
  • Applicants’ personal contact details, academic year and academic department
  • The names and contact information of at least two faculty or staff who could serve as references
• Thematic focus
• Motivation for doing this work (½ to 1 page)
• Planned activities over a 3-month period
• Specific plans and deliverables for media (film, podcasts, photography, radio, etc.)
• Target media for publication
• A letter signed by the student’s supervising professor
• Timeline
• Budget

Applicants are also permitted to include links to samples of their previous work in their proposals.

Timeline:

• September 1, 2015:  Begin Accepting Applications
• October 31, 2015 (due by 11:59pm CST):  Proposal Deadline
• November 2015:  Review Period – please be patient as we review your incredible proposals!
• December 7-23, 2015:  Notification Period
• January-May 2016 (Depending on proposal timeline):  Funding Disbursement

Submission:

• Proposals should be submitted to [email protected] with “SMGP: [Name of Student]” as the subject line. Only one proposal can be submitted per student.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Texas A & M University Student Media Grant