united-nations-fellowship

Application Deadline: April 5 2013

The Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists 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 67th 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 Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists fellowships are open to individuals who:

• Are native of one of the developing countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. For 2013 only, the Fund will not accept applications from the countries of the 2012 Fellows – Argentina, Liberia, Sri Lanka and Tunisia — 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.
• Are prepared technically to file their news stories over WIFI, whether broadcast or print.

Documentation Requirements

Please include all of the following documents with your signed application. Applications WITHOUT the following documents will NOT be considered.

1. Copies of representative selections of your work, such as newspaper clippings, audio tapes, video tapes or Internet submissions. The selections must be work produced in 2012 or 2013 — not earlier. The judges will look for entries with insight and originality. Investigative work is welcome.

• For newspaper clippings not in English, include an English translation or summary.
• For audio tape and video tape submissions, include a written transcription or a summary in English, even if the originals are in English.
• Video submissions should be in DVD, CD or VHS (preferably NTSC) format.
• For video and broadcast applicants, kindly send a CD that can be read or send regular size audio tapes (no mini tapes).

2. Originally signed letters from two individuals who supervised you and can comment on your journalism experience and qualifications.

3. Endorsement of the Fellowship application from the editor or director of the news organization that presently employs you. This endorsement must be originally signed and should:

• Grant you a leave of absence from your current duties in the event you are awarded a Fellowship.
• States 1) plans for using the material prepared by you during the Fellowship, and 2) the arrangements made to file your reports while you are at the United Nations and in New York.
• Sets forth the plans for you upon completion of the Fellowship and your return from New York.

4. Summary statement. On a separate sheet of paper, explain in not less than 300 words why you are applying for this Fellowship and what you expect to gain from the experience.

5. Two recent photographs (passport size or larger). Place these photos in a separate secure envelope and affix them to the front of your application.  Do not staple the photos directly to the application form.

6. If available, include a copy of your passport. If you do not currently have a passport, you are advised to obtain one as soon as possible so that, if selected, you can immediately proceed to obtaining a journalist visa.

NOTE: Applicants and/or their employers are required to provide equipment necessary for the applicants to efficiently and effectively report from the United Nations. Such equipment should include a laptop or notebook computer, digital camera (if appropriate), audio/visual recording and equipment needed for transmission, especially for TV. Selected journalists must be prepared technically to file their news stories over WIFI, whether broadcast or print, and arrive with a laptop enabled for WIFI.

You MUST INCLUDE ALL necessary documentation as outlined in the Eligibility and Documentation Requirements with your application.

Click HERE for the application in Word format
Click HERE for the application in PDF format (Requires Adobe Reader, free download)

An originally completed AND signed application, along with all six (6) of the Documentation Requirements, should be sent by postal or courier service (such as DHL, Fedex, Airborne) to:

Dag Hammarskjöld Fund for Journalists
512 Northampton Street, No. 124A
Edwardsville, PA 18704 USA