The Reynolds Journalism Institute invites proposals from people and
institutions with innovative ideas to improve the practice or
understanding of journalism. Because of the ongoing financial challenges
to sustain quality journalism, we are particularly interested in ideas
on how to connect citizens with news and advertising more efficiently,
to grow revenues, to engage communities or to ensure that the industry
is taking full advantage of new and emerging technologies. But we
welcome any proposals that offer the hope of strengthening the
journalism-democracy relationship.
1. RJI Residential Fellow
Designed for persons, inside and outside media industries, who want
to pursue solutions to journalism problems or who have an idea that
would explore new opportunities. Residential fellows spend eight months
on campus at the Missouri School of Journalism, taking advantage of the
intellectual and technological resources of RJI and the school and
interacting with Missouri faculty and students. Some examples include:
access to programmers and app developers, financial support to conduct
market research, and hiring students to produce multi-media content.
Solutions, in the form of strategies, products or services, developed
from these ideas would be shared with many news and news-related
organizations. You must reside in Columbia for the duration of this
fellowship.
- WHO: Anyone above the age of 18
- WHEN: Sept. 1, 2014
- HOW LONG: 8 months (two academic semesters)
- HOW MUCH: Fellows receive a $10,000 a month stipend and a one-time $10,000 allowance to use for relocation or housing.
- DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2014
2. RJI Non-residential Fellow
Designed for entrepreneurial individuals with a strong interest in
journalism and issues related to digital communications. Your fellowship
can be about something you are interested in pursuing on your own or
something that could benefit a current employer. Successful ideas,
products or strategies should serve as a model for the news industry or
help the industry get smarter, faster, nimbler. You do not need to live
in Columbia, Mo., but will need to make occasional visits to consult
with RJI leadership and staff.
- WHO: Anyone above the age of 18
- WHEN: Starting date is negotiable
- HOW LONG: 8 months
- HOW MUCH: Fellows receive a $20,000 stipend, payable monthly for eight months at $2,500/month, plus some research and travel support
- DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2014
3. RJI Institutional Fellow
Designed to unlock some of the thoughtful, meaningful ideas inside
newsrooms, ad departments, board rooms, break rooms, etc., that for
various reasons can’t get any traction. RJI will work with a leader at a
company or institution who will identify an employee who can develop an
idea or lead a team that could do it. The employee will be named an RJI
fellow but will continue working at his or her job. The stipend for
this fellowship will be paid to the company or institution to be used to
for salary relief for the part-time fellow, or for another purpose that
the company or institution determines will best ensure the success of
the fellowship project.
- WHO: Managers and executives from institutions or companies
- WHEN: Starting date is negotiable
- HOW LONG: 8 months
- HOW MUCH: $20,000 payable to the company or institution, in four $5,000 payments
- DEADLINE: Feb. 15, 2014
How to apply
It’s easy. In a Word document, answer the four questions below and
give us some contact and other personal info. Send the document with a
short cover e-mail to Roger Gafke, RJI’s selection committee chairman, at rjifellows2014@rjionline.org.
Moreinfo: http://rjionline.org/fellowship
