AIC Young Media Fellowships

Introduction

The Australia-India Council (AIC) is pleased to announce that applications are open for the AIC Young Media Fellowships.

The Fellowships provide career development opportunities for promising young Indian print and television journalists in Australia. The Fellowships encourage long-term networks between Indian and Australian journalists and media organisations, and expose young Indian journalists to Australian stories.

What does the Fellowship provide?

In 2011, the AIC will award three Fellowships, each comprising:

• a grant of AU $7,000 to cover international airfares, domestic travel, accommodation and other expenses; and
• assistance with establishing contacts in Australia.

What are Fellowship recipients required to do?

Fellowship recipients will be expected to:

• spend a minimum of 21 days (and a maximum of 28 days) in Australia;
• visit a minimum of three Australian states and/or territories;
• publish or broadcast six stories in the Indian media; and
• provide a written report and a financial acquittal of the grant funds to the AIC.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible for an AIC Young Media Fellowship, you must be:

• a journalist in print or television media;
• born after 1 January 1971;
• employed by a professional Indian print or television media organisation; and
• have the permission of your employer to apply and participate.

How to Apply:

Applications are now closed for 2011.

You will need to provide:

• an outline of the project you will pursue in Australia (1000 words or less);
• proof of age (eg. a certified copy of birth certificate, driver’s license or passport);
• two pieces of published or broadcast work (maximum length 2,000 words (or equivalent) (applicants can submit an online link or a written transcript. Where DVDs/VCDs are provided, three copies are required and cannot be returned);
• a letter from your employer confirming their support for your application, and their agreement to release you to undertake the Fellowship; and
• two letters from referees other than your employer.

The application form must be signed and returned by mail, fax or email to: 

AIC Country Manager
C/- Australian High Commission
1/50 G, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi – 110 021
Tel: +91 98108 60451
Fax: +91 2688 2732
Email: Asha.Das@dfat.gov.au

Selection

Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising judges from the AIC and the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• quality of the applicant’s submitted work;
• quality and relevance of the applicant’s project outline;
• applicant’s long-term potential in media;
• applicant’s demonstrated initiative; and
• applicant’s likelihood of long-term engagement with Australia.
  

Conditions of the Fellowships

Fellowship recipients must:

• provide the AIC with copies of their work, or drafts of their work, before leaving Australia; and
• arrange for their work to be published or broadcast within six weeks of leaving Australia.

Recipients are free to work on other, additional stories during the Fellowship and retain the intellectual property of their published or broadcast work.

The AIC does not undertake publication or broadcast, or find publishers or broadcasters for the work, but retains the right to use material produced during the Fellowship in consultation with the successful applicants.

When to apply

Applications for the 2011 Media fellowships closed on 28 February 2011. Should the program continue for 2012, applications will be invited in January 2012.