Deadline: 8 March 2017
Do you have an idea for a big story? Do you want to report it to the highest standards, with quality editorial support and a generous expenses budget that lets you explore your subject in depth? Would you like that story to be published across southeast Europe and perhaps make international impact?
If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’, now is the time to apply for the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence.
Each year, ten journalists are chosen through open competition to receive funding and professional support to conduct in-depth research into a topic of regional and EU significance – for 2017 the subject is CHANGE.
To encourage regional networking among journalists and advance balanced coverage of topics that are central to the region as well as to the EU, ERSTE Foundation and the Open Society Foundations are supporting the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence programme in cooperation with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.
Programme Structure
The fellowship programme involves the following elements:
- Fellowship bursary of €2,000 per selected fellow
- Introductory seminar in Vienna, with regional and international speakers (April 2017)
- Grant of up to €2,000 for research expenses, including one regional trip and one trip within the EU, with guidance and organisational support provided by programme partners
- On-going mentoring and support from programme editor and BIRN representatives in Balkan countries
- Two-day editing sessions in the region
- Final evaluation seminar and award ceremony in the region (December 2017)
- Worldwide publication of reports in all local languages and English
- Membership of fellowship alumni network
Award
The selection committee judges the quality of the reports and awards prizes. The top prize-winner will win €4,000, the second will receive €3,000 and the third €1,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Individuals from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia with demonstrable journalistic experience are eligible to apply for the Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence.
- Applicants should have citizenship of one of the countries covered by the programme.
- Applicants should be proficient in English (speaking, reading and comprehension), although reports may be written in local languages.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via given website.
For more information, please visit Balkan Fellowship.