Fellowship Opportunity: Media Projects on Criminal Justice
The Soros Justice Media Fellowships support writers, print and broadcast journalists, bloggers, filmmakers and other individuals with distinct voices proposing to complete media projects for local, regional and national markets that engage the public and spur debate on one or more of the Open Society Foundations' U.S. criminal justice priorities. The Foundations' Criminal Justice Fund has three core priorities: reducing mass incarceration, eliminating harsh punishment, and eliminating racial disparities and securing a fair system of justice. The Soros Justice Media Fellowships are designed to mitigate the time, space and market constraints that often discourage individuals from pursuing important but marginalized, controversial or unpopular issues in a comprehensive manner.
The annual program awards fellowships to writers, print and broadcast journalists, bloggers, filmmakers and others with distinct voices proposing to complete media projects for local, regional and national markets. Media fellowships are one year in duration. Fellows are expected to make their projects their full-time work (at least 35 hours per week) during the term of the fellowship. Media Track I fellowships, designed for new and emerging media makers, provide a stipend of $50,000 and up to $4,000 for project-related expenses; Media Track II fellowships, aimed at more experienced individuals, provide a stipend of $70,000 and up to $4,000 for project related expenses. Photography projects — production or distribution — are not eligible for funding through this fellowship program. Projects in 2012 can begin in either the spring or the fall. The application deadline for 2012 fellowships is October 12, 2011. Additional information and guidelines are available here.
