IWMF Fellowship Program for International Women
Journalists
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the goals of the IWMF Fellowship
Program for International Women Journalists?
The goals of the IWMF Fellowship are to offer international women journalists
the opportunity to enhance their journalism skills and learn first-hand
about standards and practices in the U.S. media; and to empower international
women journalists with the knowledge, skills and information necessary
to generate positive changes in the media in their home countries.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
The IWMF Fellowship is open to women journalists who live and work outside
of the U.S.
Applicants must be full-time journalists working for independent media
organizations in countries with developing media. Preference will be
given to journalists who have not had previous opportunities to travel
abroad for professional purposes and to those from countries with little
or no tradition of freedom of the press. U.S. citizens or international
journalists working in the United States are not eligible to apply.
(For information on other journalism fellowships, see the International
Center for Journalists' listing of fellowships: http://www.icfj.org/fellship.html.)
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Where will the fellowship take place?
The selected fellow will be placed with a leading media company in a
major U.S. city.
What qualities is the IWMF seeking
in the fellow?
The successful applicant will be dedicated to a career in journalism,
with five or more years experience in the profession. She will be currently
employed in an independent media organization and show a strong commitment
to sharing knowledge and skills with colleagues upon returning home.
The fellow must also have excellent written and spoken English skills
so that she can fully participate in and benefit from the program.
How is the fellow selected?
The fellow is selected by a panel of leading journalists, including
members of the IWMF board of directors. Candidates will be judged on
the caliber and promise of their work in journalism, their eagerness
to learn new skills, their maturity and sense of responsibility and
their commitment to return home and help advance journalism practices,
standards and values in their own countries.
Finalists for the fellowship may be interviewed by the IWMF.
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How many fellows will be selected?
One journalist will be selected for the 2005 fellowship.
When will the selected fellow be
notified?
All applicants for the 2005 fellowship will be notified in January 2005.
When does the 2005 fellowship program
begin?
The four-month program will begin in March 2005 and end in June 2005.
The program will include both an orientation session at the start of
the fellowship and a wrap-up at the end. The fellow is required to complete
the entire program.
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What expenses will be covered during
the course of the fellowship?
The fellowship provides for application costs for a U.S. visa, round-trip
economy airfare from the fellow's home country to Washington, DC, round-trip
economy airfare from Washington, DC to the fellowship site and health
insurance. A fixed stipend will be provided to cover lodging, meals
and ground transportation during the fellowship. The fellowship does
not provide salary or honoraria. The fellow will be fully responsible
for any additional incidental expenses.
Will family members be able to accompany
the fellow to the United States?
Due to the intense focus required for the fellowship, the IWMF strongly
discourages the fellow from bringing family members with her to the
United States or having family members visit during the fellowship period.
The IWMF cannot support visa applications for family members, nor will
the IWMF be responsible for any arrangements or expenses related to
family members' travel.
Will the fellow be able to travel while
in the United States?
Extensive travel out of the fellowship city is not recommended during
the fellowship because the fellow will be required to be actively and
fully engaged in the program. The fellow will not receive vacation days
during the program. If the fellow wishes to travel around the United
States, she may do so after the program ends, provided that she has
a valid, appropriate visa. All arrangements and expenses related to
personal travel will be the sole responsibility of the fellow.
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How do I apply?
Application forms and all supporting materials can be downloaded from
www.iwmf.org/programs/7666.
(If you are unable to download the PDF or Word files on this site, please
e-mail us at fellowship@iwmf.org).
Applications and supporting documents may not submitted by e-mail or
fax. The completed application form and supporting documents must be
submitted by mail, either regular post or international courier, to:
IWMF Fellowship
International Women's Media Foundation
1625 K Street, NW, Suite 1275
Washington, DC 20006
USA
What is the deadline?
Completed applications must be received by the IWMF on or before
November 15, 2004. Incomplete applications or applications received
after the due date will not be considered.
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