The International Center for Journalists, ICFJ, in collaboration with ONE  and the Elliott family seek entries for the inaugural 2017 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling.

The award, which is expected to be an annual event, will honor an up-and-coming journalist who tells important stories through quality reporting.

Michael Elliott distinguished himself as an editor at various media organizations, including The Economist, Newsweek and Time.

He was awarded an OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire – in 2003 for his services to international journalism,

Elliot would eventually become the Chief Executive Officer of ONE, a campaigning and advocacy organisation that is working to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa.

Contest for the maiden award is open to journalists working in the print, broadcast and online news media based in Africa, however, only English language submissions or translations will be accepted.

“Applicants, who are in the early stages of their career, are expected to submit a well-reported piece or series that reflects top-notch storytelling about important issues in Africa,” a statement by Joyce Barnathan, President of the ICFJ read.

“Submissions can include feature stories; in-depth, investigative or explanatory pieces; multimedia reports or documentaries.”

The eventual winner of the award will receive “a $5,000 cash prize to pursue an in-depth reporting project.”

“The winner will also spend time in U.S. newsrooms to learn new skills and receive mentorship from ICFJ, helping to catalyze additional reporting that engages and empowers Africans,” Barnathan added.

He noted that “a distinguished jury will select the inaugural honoree” and “the winner will be recognized at ICFJ’s Board Dinner in New York on May 31, 2017.”

Deadline for submission of entries is 11:59 p.m., U.S. Eastern time, Monday, January 30, 2017.