The International Reporting Project, IRP, is calling for applications from professional journalists to report on global religion issues.
IRP was created in 1998 and seeks to fill the gap created by much of the mainstream media’s reduction of international news.
Applicants should focus their proposals on issues that bother on the relationship between religion and the following: conflict and peace; environment and sustainability; political economy and development; health and education; gender, race and sexuality; law and human rights; social movements; migration and humanitarianism.
The IRP encourages staffers and freelancers to apply, and should note their projected outlets for publication as part of their pitch.
According to the organization, “The fellowships are intended for experienced professional journalists who have a record of outstanding achievement in reporting for influential media outlets.
“This fellowship is not intended for students or for recent graduates without professional reporting experience.
“IRP considers and encourages stories in a variety of media, including print, online, radio, television, photography, social media and video.”
The organization advised applicants to “propose stories and destinations not covered by recent IRP fellows .”
“We are looking for applications in which journalists are proposing to cover new territory rather than stories they have been focusing on for years. Similarly, we are not likely to support book-related projects,” the group said.
Applicants should “complete an application form in which they should write an essay of at least 1,000 words describing the stories they would pursue during the fellowship.”
“Applicants should note their expected output (e.g. longform, short articles, radio or video documentary, photo essays, etc).
“In order to be considered, all application essays must be submitted in English. However, the stories and other updates produced by the fellows may be in English or in other languages.
“All applications must include a detailed budget proposal outlining how the funding will be used (i.e. airfare, accommodations, fixer fees, meals, etc.), which assists in determining the amount of the stipend awarded.
Fellows are not required to submit receipts or post- fellowship expense reports.”
The group noted that “all of the fellows’ stories will be republished on the IRP website and co-owned by the fellow (or his/her distribution partners, depending on arrangements) and the IRP.
These fellowships are supported by a grant from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Successful applicants will be contacted by a member of the selection committee for additional follow-up only if your proposal is selected as a finalist for further consideration.
You can apply here