Apply for a Fellowship

Eligibility and Application Requirements

1. Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.

2. Submit a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. View important dates and deadlines.

3. Be a citizen or legal resident of any country in Latin America, Qatar, or United Arab Emirates. View the application procedures for international applicants.

4. Have at least three years of professional experience in journalism (writing, reporting, editing, producing, filmmaking et al). Projects are tailored to fellows’ experience and interests and should be relevant to the dynamic mental health and substance use landscape in their country or coverage area. Fellows employed full-time are not required to leave their jobs. Preference is given to journalists who work with or for a media outlet that expresses support for and commitment to publishing or broadcasting fellowship projects.

5. Have a strong interest in mental health reporting during and after the fellowship year. Previous mental health reporting experience is not required.

6. The Learning Lab to train and prepare fellows for the fellowship year, held at the beginning and end of the fellowship year every September, is virtual due to Covid-19 until further notice. Previously, fellows attended training at The Carter Center.

Required Application Materials

1. Short Biography. A paragraph including a biography, accomplishments, and awards.

2. Summary of proposed project. A short paragraph describing the issue you would like to report on, why you have selected that issue and what you hope to achieve with your reporting. (150-word limit)

3. Resume that includes media organizations for which you have worked or produced work, professional memberships, and other achievements.

4. Informal essay (800-word maximum)

• Describe your reasons for applying for the fellowship.
  - Clearly outline your proposed project and a plan for completion, including your expected project timeline and potential obstacles, if any.
  - Discuss the significance and timeliness of your topic.
• Describe the potential impact of the project.

5. Work samples

• Submit two samples of your best work, at least one of which should be in the medium proposed for your project. Please do not submit hard copies that cannot be replaced; mailed materials cannot be returned.
• Work samples do not have to be mental health related.

6. Letters of recommendation
One letter of recommendation is optional for submission.
If you opt not to submit a letter of recommendation, it will not count against your application.

• If you decide to submit a letter of recommendation, please submit a letter from someone familiar with your work.
• The recommender should be able to speak to the quality of your work and commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting.
• The recommender will be asked to submit their letters online after the application has completed the application. The deadline for applicants to complete the application and be found here; the deadline for the recommendation letter can be found here.

7. Letter of support from media outlet.
Applicants must provide one letter of support from a media outlet.

• If you have a full-time employer, one letter from your publisher, editor, manager or newsroom leader in support of your application and/or project is required.
• If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, the letter of support must come from an individual familiar with your work. Preference will be given to applicants with letters from editors or publishers that indicate a clear interest and strong likelihood of running the fellowship project.
• The letter of support should be submitted online once the applicant has completed the application process. The deadline can be found here.