The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) and the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University are accepting applications for a project designed to broaden opportunities for diverse journalists in independent investigative reporting.The initiative invites applications from two communities: Independent investigative journalists of color and women journalists based in the United States. With the support from the Ford Foundation, grants and matching fellowships will be offered to help journalists of diverse backgrounds widely recognized as underrepresented in the ranks of U.S. The Fund for Investigative Journalism will provide up to $10,000 to pay the expenses of reporting a specific investigative story, covering costs such as travel, document fees, equipment rentals, and small stipends.
The Fund for Investigative Journalism was founded in 1969 by the late Philip M. Stern, a public-spirited philanthropist who devoted his life “to balancing the scales of justice,” in the words of a friend. Stern was convinced small amounts of money invested in the work of determined journalists would yield enormous results in the fight against racism, poverty, corporate greed and governmental corruption.
Eligibility:
- Applications from women and journalists of color working in any type of media — print, audio, video, online — will be considered.
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens but can be reporting from abroad.
How to Apply:
To apply, the applicant may submit online application through the given link: https://investigate.submittable.com/submit
Supporting Documents:
The FIJ Schuster Investigative Journalism Diversity Initiative application requires you to upload certain materials and answer a few questions.
- Title: Enter a title for your submission.
- Grant proposal: Your grant proposal should be a thorough pitch for your social justice/human rights investigation. Maximum length: 3 pages. Please start with a 100-word summary and continue with the narrative.
- Budget: Upload an estimated budget for your investigation. Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to pay the expenses of reporting a specific investigative story, covering costs such as travel, document fees, equipment rentals, and small stipends.
- Resume: Maximum length: 3 pages. If you have an online resume, attach a document with the link along with your name, phone number, email address and social media contact info.
- Bio: Type your bio in the text box contained in the online application. Maximum length: 100 words.
- Two work samples: Accepted file types include text/document files art/photography, audio, and video.
- Letter of commitment: Here is where you show that you have a news organization interested in publishing/airing your work! This letter must be submitted with your application no exceptions
- Three reference letters: Enter the email address of your reference. Your reference will receive an email with a link to upload a reference letter. Be sure to have your referrer whitelist submittable.com or check their spam folder to ensure they receive your reference request.
Financial Aid and Award Money:
- The selected journalists will receive competitively awarded grants from the Fund for Investigative Journalism, which will provide up to $10,000 to pay the expenses of reporting a specific investigative story, covering costs such as travel, document fees, equipment rentals, and small stipends.
- Four independent, U.S.-based reporters with strong proposals to investigate significant systemic or social justice issues will be selected.
- One of those will be chosen as a “Rising Star” who will also receive funding for mentorship support.
- Recipients will also be awarded Schuster Institute fellowships, which will give them an academic appointment and institutional home, access to paid research assistance, the extensive offerings of Brandeis University’s library and technology services, mentoring, editorial guidance, and opportunities for pro bono, media-related legal advice from a major New York firm.
- The Schuster Institute will help publicize the fellows’ work through press releases, social media, and the Institute’s websites. As a fellow, they will join the Institute’s innovative “Newsroom Without Walls,” a growing community of Schuster Institute fellows and research scholars who regularly share ideas, advice, and support.
Application Deadline:
- Applications are must be submitted online through November 1, 2017, and grantees/fellows will announce in January 2018.
- In the meantime, check the FIJ and Schuster Institute Facebook pages, and #FIJSchuster on Twitter for updates.
Link for More Information:
http://fij.org/fij-schuster-institute-boosts-diversity-in-social-justice-investigative-reporting/
Contact Information:
If you have any question, contact by email FIJSchusterInstitute-at-gmail.com.
