National Media Fellowship Programme

Seven fellowships will be awarded this year to print journalists, two
of them for projects with specific emphasis on conditions in rural
areas.

12th National Media Fellowship Programme, 2006-07
Giving Voice to the Unheard

(For Print and Photojournalists)

National Foundation for India has a Media Fellowship Programme for
young, mid-career journalists. The fellowships would allow them to
take time off from their routine beats to research and publish
articles/photo essays on issues concerning the less privileged, that
need to be high on the national agenda, but do not find mention there
for a variety of reasons.

The fellowships support pursuit of in-depth, creative field research
on these concerns and writing about them with adequate evidence -
qualitative and quantitative - to impact the public policy and the
domain of social consciousness.
Seven fellowships will be awarded this year to print journalists out
of which two fellowships will be awarded for projects with specific
emphasis on conditions in rural areas. Two fellowships will be awarded
to two photojournalists.
An additional fellowship supported by the American India Foundation
will be awarded to two print journalists to research and publish
articles on Distress Seasonal Migration and its Impact on the lives of
Migrant Families, especially Children.

Journalists from small and regional language publications and
non-metro areas are encouraged to apply. Women journalists are
particularly welcome. Applicants must have demonstrated commitment to
the development concerns of the less privileged in society.

Objectives
Ø To create greater awareness in the media about local and national
development priorities
Ø To strengthen public opinion regarding the need to take positive
measures to support people-centered development
Ø To facilitate a process of sensitization to development issues
amongst media professionals
Ø To promote effective communication that draws attention to
development concerns and
Ø To facilitate a more informed development policy dialogue

Theme
A wide range of issues of importance to ordinary Indians, their battle
for a better life and development related issues including Community
Health, Elementary Education, Livelihood Security, Local Governance,
Peace and Justice, and Gender Equity.

Duration Six months spread over a year, if necessary.

Eligibility Criteria
Ø The fellowships are open to journalists working in any of the
regional and national dailies and associated media. Freelancers
frequently contributing to the press are encouraged to apply.
Ø Early to mid-career status with 5 to 7 years of professional
experience. Upper age limit is 40 years.
Ø Out of the seven fellowships for print journalists, three would be
awarded to journalists working in an Indian language newspaper.
Ø The candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to a career in
journalism and should have covered the issue in past.
Ø It would be desirable for the successful applicants to take leave of
about six months from their employers to work more productively on the
chosen theme.
Ø This fellowship cannot be held simultaneously with any other
fellowships or a similar scheme of financial assistance.
Ø Only such journalists who have not availed of any fellowships in the
preceding year will be eligible.

Application Guidelines
Applications for the Fellowship Programme can be submitted in English
or in any other Indian language. Applicants must include the following
in their submissions:

Ø A brief curriculum vitae with details of work experience and awards
and fellowships held in the past three years.
Ø The fellows will be selected based on a proposal to be submitted
either directly or through a sponsoring editor. The proposal in about
1000 words outlining the particular thematic area in which the
applicant would like to work, should include details regarding the
specific geographical location of the study, methodology, the
relevance of the theme selected, as well as the contribution it can
make to the larger development debate in the country and mention the
language of written communication.
Ø Clippings of 5 articles (print journalist) must be sent along with
the application. Three recent and two other articles of applicant's
choice.
Ø Articles/photographs must have a byline.
Ø Two references with address and phone/fax numbers.
Ø Letter from their editor, approving their application. Freelance
journalists should include two letters of recommendations from editors
or media personalities familiar with their work
Ø The grant for the photojournalist is to help him/her complete an
on-going project of social importance.
Ø Photojournalists must submit a written proposal as outlined above
along with at least 10 images (minimum prints size: 8 inch X 10 inch)
directly relating to the project for which the grant is being sought.
These images must be of high photographic standard conveying the
applicant's grasp of using the language of photography. Applicants
should also submit a portfolio of their selected work. All photographs
will be returned to applicants.
Ø The Foundation will get in touch with only the applicants who are
selected for the fellowship programme.
Ø All applications must be typed. Handwritten applications will not be
considered.
General
Ø The value of each fellowship, inclusive of honorarium, travel and
contingency grant, is Rs 1,00,000.
Ø The selected print journalist fellows will be expected to publish at
least ten articles or reasonable number of photographs (in case of
photojournalist) on the chosen subject during the period. Out of these
at least three would be in-depth research articles/photo essays.
Ø At the end of the fellowships period, the photojournalists will be
expected to mount an exhibition of her/his works. The Foundation will
meet an additional cost for mounting an exhibition for the
photojournalist.
Ø The Foundation has the right to use and/or reproduce wholly or
partially the articles/photographs, arising out of the Fellowship
Programme, in any of its publications, without any additional payment.
Ø The support provided by the National Foundation for India Media
Fellowships Programme should be suitably acknowledged in all the
articles/photos.
Ø The Foundation will facilitate wider publication/syndication of the
articles/photo essays and assist in translation of those in regional
languages, for wider dissemination.
Ø Copyright and ownership of all work will rest with the awardees.

The applications must reach the Programme Officer not later than
September 15, 2006.

The Foundation will be happy to give you more information about its
activities as well as the Media Fellowship Programme.

Write to
Sentimongla Kechüchar
National Media Fellowship Programme
National Foundation for India
Zone IV A, Upper Ground Floor
India Habitat Centre
Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110 003
Phone: 2464 1864/65, 2464 8490-92; Fax: 91-11-2464 1867
E-mail: sentimong@nfi.org.in/info@nfi.org.in
Website: www.nfi.org.in