Deadline: 20-Mar-23

The Dart Center’s Early Childhood Global Reporting Fellowship is launching its third project-based virtual fellowship on issues related to growth and development of the youngest children (0-6) and the well-being of their caregivers.

Fellows will receive reporting stipends, coaching and monthly webinars to deepen knowledge on early childhood development and its intersection with the most pressing issues of today.

The 2023 program will support 15 journalists from around the world working in print, online, audio, video and multimedia with reporting stipends, coaching and mentoring, and on-going education to deepen their knowledge. The Fellowship will run from May to November 2023 – ending with a project in the publication pipeline.

The program’s focus is on the ways early experience affects the development of children, at a time when their brains are most malleable. Across the world, children are subjected to a host of stressors, from malnutrition to political instability to inequality and racism. In recent years, children have had to face violence and unrest from the war in Ukraine, oppression in Afghanistan, and a cascade of natural (often climate-change related) disasters. And of course, the global pandemic underscored widespread inequities across populations, and disrupted basic healthcare and education for millions of children.

Funding Information

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate that their project will have a likely outlet for publication or broadcast. Applications must focus on children age six or younger and/or the well-being of caregivers to be given serious consideration. Each Fellow will be awarded $2,000 USD to use towards reporting a story or project. In addition, Fellows will also be assigned an experienced project coach and convene for monthly webinars featuring experts in the fields of science, education and public health. Webinars will be scheduled with varying time zones in mind – although some fellows will need to attend quite early or late in the day.
• Collaborative projects between more than one journalist will not be considered.

What they are looking for?

• They are seeking projects that explore these – and other – circumstances affecting early childhood development, with a focus on the policies and situations that lead to adverse experiences as well as possible solutions.
• Freelancers along with both contract and staff reporters are all invited to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any U.S. or international journalist who has a demonstrated interest in reporting on young children and/or their caregivers.
• Applicants must be proficient in English (although projects can be undertaken and produced in another language.)
• Applicants must propose a reporting project about young children and/or caregivers that can be completed and scheduled for publication or broadcast by November 15, 2023.
• Applicants must have in mind a media outlet for the project – either as a staff writer or freelancer – and a substantiated reason to think the outlet is a likely publishing or broadcast partner.
• Applicants must agree to attend at least four monthly webinars (out of six) during the fellowship period and agree to stay in regular contact with their story coach.

For more information, visit Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma.