Asking how you can become an international student reporter? Look no further! (No prior experience required)
Pulitzer Center International Reporting Student Fellowship Opportunity
The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an innovative award-winning non-profit journalism organization dedicated to supporting in-depth engagement with underreported global affairs through sponsorship of quality international journalism across all media platforms and a unique program of outreach and education to schools and universities.
The Pulitzer Campus Consortium is a network of universities and community colleges that support in-person campus visits by Pulitzer Center journalists and international reporting fellowships for students. Penn students have the opportunity to expand their global education by applying for one of these fellowships. Support is provided by the Pulitzer Center, Penn Global, the Middle East Center (MEC), the South Asia Center (SAC), and Penn in Latin America and the Caribbean (PLAC). All current full-time Penn students, undergraduate and graduate, returning in the same full-time status in the fall, are eligible to apply.
WHAT IS THE EXPERIENCE AND WHO IS A GOOD FIT TO BE A STUDENT JOURNALIST:
Previous journalism is not a requirement but an open mind and a willingness to write, photograph and/or create videos is necessary. Pulitzer Center editors work closely with the fellows on storytelling strategies, reporting methods and travel logistics. Applicants should be committed to taking on the role of a journalist for the course of the fellowship for a minimum of 8-10 weeks. This means asking questions and going deep into stories. To get a handle on the differences between journalism and advocacy or public relations, carefully read the Pulitzer Center’s Ethics and Standards Policy. The fellows will participate in a Pulitzer Center-conducted workshop before leaving for their international site. They also receive mentoring and editorial support while in the field.
The strongest applicants will identify an untold story and present a clear, succinct plan for telling that story. Take a look at past reporting on the Pulitzer Center's site to get an idea of how journalists pitch their projects and to avoid pitching a story idea that has already been covered.
LOCATIONS THAT CAN BE USED FOR STORY FOCUS:
Any country approved for safe travel within South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East or North Africa.
DELIVERABLES, DISSEMINATION, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
If you are awarded a Pulitzer International Reporting Student Fellowship, your project will have set deliverables (e.g. three blog posts, a narrative slideshow and a longer piece) agreed to by you and the Pulitzer Center and due by the end of August, 2024. Your work will be published on the Pulitzer Center site and possibly other outlets. You will also be expected to participate in outreach efforts for South Asia Center (SAC), Penn in Latin America and the Caribbean (PLAC) and Middle East Center (MEC) upon return to campus.
This Fellowship includes a $3,500 award ($3,000 from Penn Global and $500 from the Pulitzer Center). Successful applicants must meet Penn Global and Pulitzer Center eligibility requirements. Upon award announcement, fellows will receive instructions on how to obtain the initial Penn Global grant of $3,000 to support travel. Once deliverables have been satisfactorily completed, the Pulitzer Center will provide a final $500 award.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
- Student applicants email completed electronic application form and accompanying requirements (resume and work samples) by due date indicated on form (February 1, 2024)
- Applications are reviewed by the Pulitzer Center and the Penn group responsible for the region of focus. Interviews are not typically required. You will be notified if this is necessary.
- The Pulitzer Center and SAC, MEC, and PLAC select three winning fellows; one for South Asia, one for the Middle East or North Africa, and one for Latin America or the Caribbean
- Applicants are notified by February 15 with funding directions which must be completed by March 1.
Download the 2024 application here: /sites/default/files/2024%20Pulitzer%20Penn%20Intl%20Reporting%20Student%20Fellowship%20App.pdf
APPLICATION DUE: APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED
QUESTIONS / CONTACTS:
Pulitzer Center: studentfellows@pulitzercenter.org
South Asia Center: Outreach Coordinator, Sharifa Halimi, shalimi@sas.upenn.edu
Latin American / Caribbean region reporting: Nancy Biller, plac@upenn.edu
Find out More About Our Partners Here:
Penn Global
Latin America & the Caribbean (PLAC)
Middle East Center
