NZUS Council Media Fellowship Programme (New Zealand)

The fellowship provides an opportunity for a highly motivated New Zealand-based journalist with an interest in international affairs to travel to the United States in 2024 to undertake reporting for 10-14 days.

To apply, candidates need to propose a clear and well-researched work programme that outlines the topic and stories they aim to explore, the specific people or organisations they intend to engage with while in the United States, and the locations where they will conduct their reporting.

About the Fellowship

• The NZUS Council is a non-partisan, non-government organisation focused on advancing New Zealand’s interests in a strong bilateral relationship with the United States.
• A key element of the work is acting as a conduit for a range of policy discussions between both countries. They support informed discussion and debate about the evolving bilateral relationship in New Zealand, and they recognise the critical role of the news media in helping audiences understand its complex, dynamic, and multifaceted nature.
• The purpose of the fellowship is to support the work by encouraging reporting that reflects the depth, diversity, and evolution of connections between New Zealand and the United States. This includes connections in the trade/economic and political/security spheres, among others.

Benefits

• The NZUS Council Media Fellow will receive return airfares from New Zealand to the United States, domestic flights within the United States as necessary, accommodation, and a modest per diem.
• Travel insurance and visa application costs will also be covered. The maximum total value of the fellowship is $15,000.

What the proposal should entail?

• The Council does not impose conditions on the content or subject matter produced by the successful applicant, however, the principle of enhancing New Zealanders’ understanding of the bilateral relationship, and facilitating informed discussion applies.
• Preference will be given to proposals that are clear, well-researched, and detailed in terms of the overall story/stories, where the applicant intends to travel, and whom they intend to engage with. Applicants are expected to be able to cover both trade/economic issues and political/security issues.
• It is expected that proposals will include travel to multiple locations in the United States, i.e. the West and East Coasts and other relevant centres where connections have been made with New Zealand.
• Note: The Council is unable to support travel by more than one person. Should the applicant wish to engage a television crew, the costs of travel for any additional people will need to be met by the fellow and/or their organisation.

Who can apply?

• Entries from journalists working for news organisations must provide a letter or email from their employer or publisher supporting their application. Freelancers must provide correspondence to show that a news organisation is willing to publish work resulting from the fellowship.
• Applications must be:
  • New Zealand based,
  • working as a journalist for a news organisation or as a freelance journalist,
  • a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and;
  • interested (or developing an interest) in international affairs.

For more information, visit NZUS Council.