Media Fellowships
The Media Fellowship program of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada offers up-and-coming and established journalists the opportunity to spend time in Asia, researching and preparing stories. The program aims to help Canadian journalists to become better informed about this dynamic part of the world in order to write and broadcast insightfully on Asia and the Canada-Asia relationship.
The Foundation will award up to three fellowships valued at up to $10,000 each. The Media Fellowships are a component of the Foundation’s Research Grants Program, funded through the proceeds of an endowment established by the Government of Canada and in part by award-winning airline, Cathay Pacific Airways. All grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
The broad themes and topics for 2013-2014 linked to the Canada-Asia Relationship are:
1. Energy, Natural Resources and the Environment
2. Human Rights and Development
3. Global Economy
4. Education, Culture and Communities
5. Politics and Security
As a new feature, the 2013-2014 APF Canada Media Fellows will receive a two-night stopover in Hong Kong courtesy of Hong Kong’s airline, Cathay Pacific Airways. Successful applicants will receive up to two nights hotel accommodation in Hong Kong and fly Cathay Pacific’s new Premium Economy Class departing from either Vancouver or Toronto to Hong Kong and one onward destination in Asia or China, operated by Cathay Pacific or sister airline, Dragonair. Journalists will have an opportunity to write a blog and/or tweet about a topic of interest for Cathay Pacific Airways and APF Canada during their stopover to Hong Kong.
Eligibility
The Media Fellowship program is open to any journalist who is a citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, employed by a Canadian magazine, newspaper, news service, business publication, radio, television station or new media outlet as a reporter, feature writer, columnist or as a freelancer. Applicants must have at least three years of experience in their field and have produced a substantial body of work. Recipients of Media Fellowship awards from APF Canada are not eligible to apply until three years after their previous award.
Application Procedures
Applications should include:
• A 500-word statement explaining the rationale for their chosen theme of interest.
• A detailed proposal (1,000-1,200 max) outlining concrete steps for the assignment including a plan of execution, and particulars about where the resulting articles/programs will be published or broadcast, as well the audiences that will be interested and why.
• A budget, including travel expenses, materials, and other basic expenses.
(NOTE: Total budget {up to $10,000} should include estimated costs of a Premium Economy Class ticket departing from either Vancouver or Toronto provided by Cathay Pacific Airways. If applicant does not reside in either city, budget should account for travel to one of these departing Canadian cities.)
• A CV.
• Two examples of written or broadcast work .
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who know the applicant professionally and are familiar with the applicant’s work.
• A letter from their prospective editor/producer, stating a willingness, in principle, to run stories resulting from this trip, subject to normal editorial judgment.
Selection
Successful applicants will be selected by a jury formed by APF Canada. The key criteria are: significance of the topic, project feasibility, potential impact and personal qualifications. The judges’ decision will be final.
Reporting Requirements
Financial
Seventy-five per cent of the Fellowship will be awarded upon signing of the award agreement. Twenty-five per cent will be withheld until final reporting. As per Revenue Canada requirements all Grant payments will be reported on a T4A at the end of each calendar year (refer to www.cra-arc.gc.ca IT340R and IT75R4 for additional information).
Outcomes
Within 30 days of their return to Canada, recipients are required to provide feedback about their trip for the Foundation in a brief written report (700–1000 words). The report will be used to evaluate and refine the Foundation’s Media Fellowship program and should therefore include references to problems encountered. Recipients will be encouraged to visit Vancouver upon return to share feedback from their trip at a roundtable hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Recipients will also be expected to forward to the Foundation copies of completed articles/programs that result from their trip.
Application Deadline
Applications and letters of recommendation must be postmarked by the closing date of: February 15, 2013
Where to Apply
Applications and questions may be emailed to: mediafellowship@asiapacific.ca or mailed to:
Media Fellowship Coordinator
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
220-890 West Pender St.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6C 1J9
Applications are accepted in English and French.
*The Foundation reserves the right to cite the results of research funded under the grants program, and grant recipients may be called upon for media and outreach activities coordinated by the Foundation.
