About This Fellowship
The International Reporting Project is accepting applications from professional journalists to report on gender and LGBTI rights around the world. The deadline to apply is Monday, December 11th at 11:59pm EST. Applicants may propose any stories that focus on gender rights or LGBTI rights (or both). Topics might include:
• gender- and orientation-based discrimination;
• reproductive, sexual and maternal health;
• land rights;
• access to justice;
• shrinking civil society;
• threats against women human rights defenders;
• peace and conflict resolution processes;
• education and leadership;
• the effects of conflict upon marginalized communities;
• multi-country/cross-border solutions.
Time spent in the destination country is flexible; fellowships typically last between two and seven weeks.
Special consideration will be given to applicants from and projects in Central America, Francophone West Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. We encourage applicants to propose stories and destinations not recently covered by IRP fellows, although some exceptions may be made. Additionally, we are looking for applications in which journalists are proposing to cover new territory rather than stories they have been focusing on for years. Similarly, we are not likely to support book-related projects.
Staffers and freelancers alike are encouraged to apply, and should note their projected outlets for publication as part of their pitch. The fellowships are intended for experienced professional journalists who have a record of outstanding achievement in reporting for influential media outlets. This fellowship is not intended for students or for recent graduates without professional reporting experience. IRP considers and encourages stories in a variety of media, including print, online, radio, television, photography, social media and video.
How to Apply
All applicants must fill out an application form in which they should write an essay of at least 1,000 words describing the stories they would pursue during the fellowship. Applicants should note their expected output (e.g. longform, short articles, radio or video documentary, photo essays, etc.). In order to be considered, all application essays must be submitted in English. However, the stories and other updates produced by the fellows may be in English or in other languages. All applications must include a detailed budget proposal outlining how the funding will be used (i.e. airfare, accommodations, fixer fees, meals, etc.), which assists in determining the amount of the stipend awarded. Fellows are not required to submit receipts or post- fellowship expense reports.
All of the fellow’s stories will be republished on the IRP website and co-owned by the fellow (or his/her distrutionpartners, depending on arrangements) and the IRP. In addition, the work produced as a result of the trip may be posted on the social media channels of the IRP funders. These fellowships are supported by a grand from the Foundation for a Just Society. Because of the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to every applicant, and we do not send automated confirmation receipts. You will be contacted by a member of the selection committee for additional follow-up only if your proposal is selected as a finalist for further consideration.
Please read our frequently asked questions before applying.