Applications Invited for Asia Journalism Fellowship 2024

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About the Organization

Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and beyond. Temasek Foundation’s programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, and strive towards achieving positive outcomes for individuals and communities now and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation’s programmes strengthen social resilience, foster international exchange and regional capabilities, advance science, and protect the planet.

The Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) was established in 1988 as an independent research centre to study and generate public policy ideas in Singapore. It became an autonomous research centre of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore in 2008.

The IPS analyses public policy, builds bridges between thought leaders and communicates its findings to a wide audience. Its researchers examine issues of critical national interest across a variety of fields, and study the attitudes and aspirations of Singaporeans through surveys of public perception. The Institute’s Society and Culture department studies the changing media landscape and the implications for public policy.

About the Fellowship

The Asia Journalism Fellowship welcomes its 14th batch of Fellows in 2023. The programme will run over eight weeks, with four weeks online and four weeks in Singapore.

AJF is an initiative of Temasek Foundation and has been hosted since 2017 by the Institute of Policy Studies of the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. AJF has welcomed 205 Asian journalists to Singapore since 2009. The programme was hosted by the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University from 2009 to 2016.

Overview:

The Asia Journalism Fellowship brings together seasoned journalists from varied backgrounds to learn and work together. From 2009 to 2019, AJF brought journalists to Singapore for three months each year to discuss journalism, pick up new skills, exchange ideas, get to know one another and Singapore. Organised for Asian journalists and held in Asia, this programme has enriched individuals and built lasting bridges of friendship across borders of this vast continent.

The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted AJF in 2020, as it did all aspects of our lives, and the programme was not held that year. The fellowship resumed in 2021 as an online programme held over Zoom for six weeks. Almost everyone who applied in 2020 was willing to be considered for the online edition of AJF 2021.

In 2022, with travel restrictions easing in many parts of Asia and the rest of the world, we ran the programme online for four weeks, followed by two weeks in Singapore. We also invited the 2021 Fellows to Singapore for two weeks, so we had two batches of Fellows in town for a fortnight of seminars, visits, dialogues and deepening their understanding of one another’s countries, seeing Singapore close-up, and strengthening their bonds of friendship.

In 2023, AJF will change once more, to run four weeks online and four weeks in person in Singapore. We recognise that newsroom challenges have made it increasingly difficult for Fellows to take three months off work. The experience of our “pandemic Fellows” and their feedback tell us it will be possible to continue delivering the best of AJF with a mix of online and face-to-face programmes. AJF remains an opportunity to recharge, learn, and make new friends for life.

Eligibility

Anyone who satisfies the following minimum criteria may apply:

• You have at least five years of professional journalism experience. Student journalism is not included.
• You are working fulltime as a journalist in Asia. We prefer those working for Asian media organisations. Freelancers may apply, if journalism is your main source of income.
• You are comfortable in English, the working language of the AJF programme. We welcome journalists working in non-English media, but you may have to demonstrate your proficiency in English through a telephone interview.
• Your employers must agree in writing to allow you to participate in the Fellowship for eight weeks – four weeks online, followed by four weeks in Singapore.

The Fellowship is extremely competitive and, regrettably, we have to turn down many outstanding applicants each year. However, there is no “model” applicant and we aim for diversity in the participants’ professional profile and life experience.

In general, we are looking for Fellows who have made a professional impact in their work (shown through awards and commendations, for example) and have the potential for leadership and management roles within the profession or organisation, and a passion to excel.

You can be in any news medium – newspapers, magazines, television, radio or digital – and practising journalism through words, photos or video.

Past Fellows include those who work for media giants in Asia’s capital cities, as well as those from provincial media and alternative media including NGO media. What matters most is that you are making a difference in your country and community and aim to do more.

How to Apply

The application deadline is end of Tuesday, 16 April 2024. All application materials including reference letters must be received by then.

The selection process for the Fellowship is extremely competitive, so it is important that you send us a complete application containing all information we need. Please follow the instructions carefully.

• Download the Instruction Checklist here.
• Download the Personal Data Protection Act Form here.

Your application is not complete until we receive all the following:

• Completed Application Form. (Download Application Form)
• Employer’s letter supporting your participation in AJF – four weeks online and four weeks in Singapore. [This is not required for freelancers.] (Download Sample Letter)
• Three letters of recommendation. (Download Instructions for Referees)
• Three to five samples of past work.
• Copies of all relevant educational certificates, with certified translations if not in English.
• Completed Personal Data Protection Act Form.

Send your Application Form by e-mail to: applications@ajf.sg. If your e-mail is successfully received, you will receive an automated e-mail reply.

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Skill Development Journalism/ Reporting Others