FAQs and Application Guidelines – Adelante

Eligibility Criteria

  • Affiliated or freelance women journalists with three (3) or more years of professional experience working in news media. Internships do not count toward professional experience.
  • Women journalists of all nationalities are welcome to apply.
  • Applicants should be fluent in English and/or Spanish.
  • The IWMF may require additional training, experience, and/or language skills for some international reporting trips. Please review the Call for Applications for further information.

The IWMF believes that gender does not conform to one notion. We are inclusive of all journalists who identify as women, which includes trans women, and non-binary people.

Application Guidelines

  • Applicant must submit a complete application and story plan for each reporting trip for which she wants to apply.
  • Applications include basic details, a statement of interest including a researched story pitch, CV, work samples, and either a letter of support from an editor or a proven track record of publication.
  • All applications materials must be submitted in either English or Spanish.

View a sample application in English or Spanish.

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for an IWMF International Reporting Fellowship?

Applicants must be women journalists* currently working full time in the news media, with three or more years of professional experience. Affiliated or freelance journalists working in print, broadcast, or digital media are eligible.

Reporting fellowships are open to women journalists of all nationalities. Applicants may apply in Spanish or English language. Some trips may require specific language skills or training. Please review the Call for Applications for additional information.

Before submitting an application, journalists are encouraged to review the application criteria and guidelines.

*The IWMF believes that gender does not conform to one notion. We are inclusive of all journalists who identify as women, which includes trans women, and non-binary people.

What is the IWMF International Reporting Fellowship application process?

To participate in the fellowship, journalists must submit a trip-specific application. Applications are available on this website a few months before each trip. Journalists are encouraged to sign up for IWMF email updates. Announcements are also made on IWMF social media accounts.

Applications request basic details, a statement of interest including a story pitch, curriculum vitae, work samples, and a letter of support from an editor. Freelancers with an established portfolio of work are not required to submit a letter of support, though it is strongly encouraged.

Before submitting an application, journalists are encouraged to review the application criteria and guidelines.

When are fellows announced?

The IWMF will notify fellows approximately 6 weeks after the application deadline for each trip.

Can journalists apply multiple times to the International Reporting Fellowship?

Journalists may apply for multiple trips taking place in different time frames, but may not apply for multiple simultaneous trips. Applicant must submit a complete application and story plan for one reporting trip per application cycle for which she wants to apply.

Are there any citizenship restrictions?

Reporting fellowships are open to women journalists of all nationalities.

How long is each reporting trip?

Reporting fellowships include approximately two weeks on the ground plus a day or two for travel. The first four days consist of comprehensive security training and expert briefings. Fellows then participate in in-country independent and group reporting activities.

What is the structure of the reporting fellowship?

Reporting trips include time for journalists to pursue their own stories, as well as group meetings and activities related to the reporting theme. Fellows can expect to meet with key sources related to their reporting, such as government officials, local journalists, and members of the NGO community. IWMF staff will coordinate with fellows prior to trips to gather interview requests and other reporting needs.

Reporting trip groups typically consist of six reporting fellows accompanied by two IWMF staff members. For each group of six, the IWMF provides three in country fixers and three drivers; journalists are expected to share the resources provided. In advance of each trip, IWMF staff works with fixers to coordinate reporting priorities.

Where will the fellows be based during the trip?

Each trip is based in a central location determined by IWMF staff in advance. Journalists should anticipate their stories to be executed in locations no more than a day’s drive away from the base location. All in-country travel will be contingent on security conditions on the ground.

What expenses does the IWMF cover?

The IWMF pays for fellowship-related expenses within the framework of the reporting trip including visas, travel, lodging, meals and fixers/interpreters unless a selected journalist’s news organization wishes to assume these costs. The IWMF does not cover the cost of immunizations, alcohol, laundry or baggage fees.

What types of stories are produced during reporting fellowships?

Each fellowship trip will have a broad reporting theme determined by the IWMF before the application process is opened. Journalists chosen to participate are expected to pursue stories that fit within that theme. The IWMF designed this program to support journalists interested in pursuing stories that go beyond the well-established path of political instability, armed conflicts, and humanitarian crisis in the region. Core reporting themes for these fellowships include democracy and governance, immigration, agricultural development, economic opportunity, expanded technology access, women’s rights and development, education, and conservation. Trip themes are purposefully broad in scope and designed to accommodate a variety of reporting angles.

Where are the reporting fellows’ stories published and produced?

Reporting fellows’ stories have been published and aired by a wide variety of leading media outlets. Fellows produce stories for the media outlet of their choice. The IWMF does not hold intellectual property rights or exercise editorial control over work produced by reporting fellows. Journalists are expected to produce at least one story from the reporting trip, and to credit the IWMF for supporting the story when published.

How is the initiative funded?

Adelante is made possible by a $5 million grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.