Rosalynn Carter Fellowships For Mental Health Journalism:  FAQs

• What is the purpose of the fellowship?


• Am I eligible to apply for a fellowship?


• Should I reapply for a fellowship if I did not receive one in the past?


• What is the deadline for the 2012 fellowship application?


• Who is the best person to write my letters of support and/or recommendation?


• How will I know when my application has been received?


• Will I receive feedback on my application if I do not receive a fellowship?


• Will my application materials be returned?


• Where can I find samples of previous fellowship projects?

What is the purpose of the fellowship?

The three goals of the fellowship are:

• Increase accurate reporting on mental health issues and decrease incorrect, stereotypical information.
• Help journalists produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of mental health issues through exposure to well-established resources in the field.
• Develop a cadre of better-informed print and electronic journalists who will more accurately report information through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, film, and the Internet and influence their peers to do the same.

Am I eligible to apply for a fellowship?

Applicants must have at least three years of professional journalism experience. Applicants must submit a full fellowship application and attend meetings at The Carter Center in September at the beginning and end of the fellowship year.  Applicants must be citizens or residents of the United States or Romania.

Should I reapply for a fellowship if I did not receive one in the past?

It is the choice of the applicant to reapply, however, being a former applicant does not carry weight in the application review process. There have been cases when an applicant is awarded a fellowship after several denied submissions.

When is the deadline for the 2012 fellowship application?

The postmark deadline for the 2012 fellowship application is Monday, April 16, 2012. The deadline is firm.  

Who is the best person to write my letters of support and/or recommendation?

The letter should be written by someone familiar with the applicant's professional work and can speak to his/her journalistic abilities. Because the feasibility of a project is weighted heavily, it is ideal to have letters contributed by individuals that have decision-making authority related to the project (such as, collaborators, editors, publishers, financial supporters, etc.). Letters from friends or relatives are discouraged.

How will I know when my application has been received?

The applicant will receive an e-mail from the fellowship program once every component of the application has been received, including the recommendation letters.

Will I receive feedback on my application if I do not receive a fellowship?

Due to the high volume of interest in the fellowship, program staff are unable to provide individual feedback on applications. Please keep in mind that the applicant should address the following in his/her application: feasibility of completing the project, timeliness of the topic, and the topic's potential impact on reducing stigma.

Will my application materials be returned?

Due to the high volume of applications and materials, the materials are not returned. Please do not send anything that cannot be replaced.

Where can I find samples of previous fellowship projects?

The fellowship program has compiled an archive of the projects completed by Rosalynn Carter fellows during the fellowship year and any applicable mental health reporting in the years following. Visit the journalism archives>>