Apply for Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship

Deadline: 14-Jun-21

The Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty has opened the applications for Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship to provide mentoring and support for outstanding journalists dedicated to promoting human rights and democracy in their target regions.

Fellows are selected as a result of a highly competitive process. They are placed with an appropriate language service at RFE/RL’s Prague headquarters to receive on-the-job training and mentoring, while working alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals. Programs equip Fellows with cutting-edge journalistic skills, and involve them in the daily editorial debates and discussions that inform a professional and independent press so that they may become standard-bearers of the profession and leaders in their communities, on-line, on air, and in the world.

The Vaclav Havel Journalism Fellowship is available to aspiring, independent journalists in the European Union’s Eastern Partnership countries and Russia.

The Fellowship also features workshops on journalistic practices and tools; discussions with government officials, civic leaders, and regional analysts; visits to local media and news agencies in Prague; and professional development opportunities in the Czech Republic and abroad.

Main Components

The main components of the program are:

Professional mentoring alongside RFE/RL’s seasoned professionals.
Training and development of journalistic skills on traditional, multi-media, and digital platforms.
Participation in the daily editorial discussions that inform a professional and independent press.
Independent work on a personal project.
Understanding of the mission and practice of a professional, free, and independent media.

Eligibility Criteria

The Fellowship accepts applications from journalists in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation. Fellows are assigned for the term of the Fellowship to one of those language services.
Eligible applicants will be from an Eastern Partnership country or the Russian Federation; have a minimum of two years’ experience working as a journalist in their native language; be committed to working as a journalist in, or for audiences in, their home country; share RFE/RL’s mission; and be proficient in English.
Applicants for a Fellowship position with Current Time must demonstrate native-level fluency in Russian, strong writing skills, and some TV and digital experience. They must indicate their wish to be assigned to Current Time in their application materials.
A complete application includes the following materials:
- Personal statement
- 3 work samples
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae, including current contact information
- Letter to Václav Havel
In addition, please let them know how you learned about the Fellowship (e.g., RFE/RL’s website, Facebook, a professional or academic reference, etc.).