Public policy fellowships open to journalists [Worldwide]

Journalists, scholars and public officials worldwide who are interested in public policy can apply for a fellowship.

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is accepting applications for its 9-month residential fellowship program in Washington, D.C.

Fellows will conduct research and write in their areas of interest, while interacting with policymakers, Wilson Center staff and other scholars in residence. The center accepts policy-relevant, non-advocacy fellowship proposals that address key challenges confronting the United States and the world.

Fellowships include a maximum stipend of US$85,000 and 75 percent of health insurance premiums for fellows who elect center coverage, along with travel to and from the fellowship location.

The application deadline is October 1 at 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

For more information visit: http://www.wilsoncenter.org/fellowships-grants

Competition seeks story ideas on health [Africa]

African journalists can submit their ideas on innovative health stories.

The African Story Challenge is seeking applications to fund great story ideas on health. This is the second round of its pan-African journalism competition. The Story Challenge is a project by the African Media Initiative (AMI) in partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ).

Twenty projects shortlisted for the final prize will be awarded grants of up to $20,000. These stories will focus specifically on issues such as: sanitation and water-borne diseases; infectious and noninfectious diseases; neglected diseases; and vaccines and immunization. Submissions should include investigative, data-driven stories that employ multi-platform approaches and engage the public through social media and other digital tools.

The finalists will be brought together for intensive sessions to improve their project ideas. Cross-country reporting and collaboration or joint applications between different media organizations is highly encouraged.

Grantees who produce the best stories published or broadcast in media that reach African audiences will win cash prizes or a major reporting trip abroad.

Entries will be accepted in English, French, Arabic and Portuguese.

The African Story Challenge is supported by an US$800,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The deadline is Oct. 13.

For more information visit: http://africanstorychallenge.com/

ICFJ seeks engagement, health fellows [Worldwide]

The International Center for Journalists seeks two Knight International Journalism Fellows - an engagement fellow and a health fellow - to be based in Nigeria for 10 months.

The engagement fellow will aim to improve public engagement and amplify the impact of ICFJ's media partners’ health coverage. The ideal candidate will be a media professional, with deep roots in newsrooms, who has managed complex digital innovation projects and teams and who has a demonstrable track-record for creating ways for audiences to engage with the news.

Experience in Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa is strongly preferred, and training or coaching experience is a plus. The fellowship is open to any nationality, and will begin on or about Oct. 1, 2013.

The health fellow will lead a 10-month project in partnership with key media organizations to plan and coordinate reporting contests, forums and events designed to elevate public dialogue around important health issues.

The fellow also will work in conjunction with other Knight Fellows to integrate into the events the use of engagement tools, such as mobile or data-collection apps, that connect audiences to the news organizations so they can continue to stay informed and engaged in health news.

The health fellow candidate must speak English, but Hausa or Yoruba are also encouraged. Experience working in Nigeria or elsewhere in Africa preferred and African candidates are encouraged to apply. Fellowship to begin in late 2013.

For more information about both fellowships visit: http://www.icfj.org/fellowships-openings