Each year 20 outstanding media professionals from the United States and Germany are awarded an opportunity to report from and travel in each other’s countries as part of The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Program. The program offers 10 young print and broadcast journalists from each country the opportunity to share professional expertise with their colleagues across the Atlantic while working as “foreign correspondents” for their hometown news organizations.

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Program was established in 1988 in Germany by the Internationale Journalisten-Programme (formerly the Initiative Jugendpresse) and was originally designed for young German journalists. In 1990, the fellowship expanded to include American journalists, making it a true exchange program. Named in honor of the late former U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany and former Federal Reserve Board chairman, the program fosters greater understanding of German-U.S. relations among future leaders of the news media. The program is administered jointly by the International Center for Journalists in Washington, D.C., and the Internationale Journalisten-Programme (IJP) in Konigstein, Germany.

The U.S. portion of The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Program is funded exclusively by donations from individuals and private-sector corporations and foundations. A board of trustees including, among others, Henry Kissinger, Norman Pearlstine, Craig Kennedy and Howard A. Tyner, oversees fundraising and other program activities. Costs for the German participants are paid for by grants from German corporations, government agencies and international foundations.

One German and one American current or former fellow are selected each year for a journalism prize in the amount of €2,000 for the best published print or broadcast segment.

Report in Germany or the United States on this journalism exchange program

This nine-week program is conducted in two phases:

Phase I:
Orientation Session in Washington, D.C.
Before individual fellowships begin, U.S. and German participants are invited to a one-week orientation in Washington, D.C., during the last week of July. Fellows attend meetings with prominent media and government representatives, discuss professional issues and visit places of interest in the U.S. capital. In addition to giving fellows a thorough understanding of the Burns Fellowship Program, the orientation fosters a spirit of community among the participants.

Phase II:
Individual Fellowships in Germany and the United States
In August and September, fellows work as part-time staff members at host newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations. In addition to covering local news, fellows report on events for their employers back home, while learning more about their host country and its media. For broadcast journalists, the fellowship does not guarantee the availability of technical crews and equipment; fellows are encouraged to make private arrangements whenever possible. In most cases, participants also have the opportunity for work-related travel. Individuals may prolong their stay overseas.

Host news organizations are chosen by IJP with assistance in the United States from ICFJ. Host organizations are selected on the basis of compatibility with a fellow’s professional interests.

Eligibility
This competitive program is open to U.S. and German journalists between the age of 21-37, who are employed by a newspaper, news magazine, broadcast station or news agency, and to freelancers. Applicants must have demonstrated journalistic talent and a strong interest in U.S.-European affairs. German language proficiency is not required, but it is encouraged. The application deadline for American journalists is March 1.

Application Form: http://www.icfj.org/LinkClick.aspx?link=294&tabid=460

Participant Responsibilities:Each participant is required to sign the “Agreement to Program Conditions” indicating that he/she understands and will comply with the general conditions of the program. At the conclusion of the fellowship, each participant is required to prepare a summary report and provide recommendations for future programs. Excerpts of these reports are published in the program newsletter, which is sent to program alumni, sponsors and friends.

Program Expenses:
Each U.S. Fellow receives a $4,500 stipend to cover living expenses during the two-month fellowship in Germany. Participants also receive travel vouchers from Continental Airlines, and the program also pays living expenses during the orientation in Washington, D.C. In addition, American participants are eligible to apply for reimbursement up to $500 for the cost of German-language classes in advance of departure overseas.

For U.S. Applicants
Address (USA):
1616 H Street, NW, Third Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel: 1-202-737-3700
Fax: 1-202-737-0530
Email: burns(AT)icfj.org 

For German Applicants
Address (Germany):
Internationale Journalistenprogramme
(IJP) e. V.
Postfach 1565
D-61455 Königstein/Taunus
Tel: +49-6174-7707
Fax: +49-6174-4123
Email: info(AT)ijp.org

SOC offers prestigious merit-based awards to full-time journalism graduate applicants in partnership with the organizations below. MA candidates receive a scholarship for a designated number of academic credits plus a stipend and an opportunity to pursue professional projects on a part-time basis with some of the country’s finest news organizations.

The following graduate students have been awarded SOC’s named fellowships:

Seung Min Kim (BA, University of Iowa), USA Today
Kat Aaron (BA, Barnard College) and Nick Schwellenbach (BA, University of Texas at Austin), Center for Public Integrity
Russell Choma (BA, Muhlenberg College), Bureau of National Affairs

Center for Public Integrity
33 credit hours plus a stipend
Application deadline: March 1, 2009
Download fellowship application form (PDF) Please note that the form must be submitted along with a completed admissions application packet to SOC’s graduate program in Journalism by March 1, 2009.

BNA
24 credit hours plus a stipend
Application deadline: March 1, 2009
Download fellowship application form (PDF). For consideration, applicants must submit a completed admissions application packet to SOC’s graduate program in Journalism by March 1, 2009.

USA TODAY
18 credit hours plus a stipend
Application deadline:March 1, 2009
Download fellowship application form (PDF). For consideration, applicants must submit a completed admissions application packet to SOC’s graduate program in Journalism by March 1, 2009.

Source: www.soc.american.edu

Apply Now for the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award

Winners to Attend 2009 AAN Annual Meeting in Seattle

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is seeking journalists who exemplify excellence in medical, health, and science reporting to apply for the 12th Annual AAN Journalism Fellowship Award.

The AAN recognizes the important contributions made by members of the news media who help raise the public’s awareness of neurologic disorders through print, broadcast, and online news stories regarding advancements in neurologic research.

Winners will receive special recognition, airfare, and hotel with a five-night maximum stay to attend the 2009 AAN Annual Meeting in Seattle.

The AAN Annual Meeting will take place April 25–May 2, 2009, and provides an in-depth look at the latest advances in research and treatment options for neurologic disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and stroke. More than 10,000 neurologists are expected to attend and more than 2,000 abstracts of research will be presented.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following:

1. Written expression of interest (no more than 500 words)
2. A resume (include contact information)
3. Three print, broadcast, or online news clips on a neurology-related topic or any medical/science topic that covers advances in research, treatment, or care of neurologic conditions. Materials may be part of a series. Audio or broadcast clips must have a total running time of less than 30 minutes. Materials or stories included in any AAN publications are prohibited.
4. A nominating letter from a senior editor, news director, or producer.

There is no submission fee.

Eligibility

Any reporter, writer, producer, or editor from a recognized print, broadcast, or online new publication is eligible to apply for the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award.  Members of the AAN who can provide these credentials are also eligible to apply.  Materials must be published or broadcasts between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2008. 

Past recipients of the AAN Journalism Fellowship Award are not eligible to apply.

Judging Criteria

Judges may select up to two award recipients. Entries will be judged on the basis of originality, aptitude, accuracy, and significance to the area of neurology. Judges will also consider the journalist’s background, interest, and overall career contributions to neurology-related topics.

Applications may be sent through the mail or email using the following information:

Rachel Seroka
American Academy of Neurology, Journalism Fellowship Award

1080 Montreal Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55116-2311

rseroka(AT)aan.com

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2009