EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship

Graphic representing information about EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship

The EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship aims to recognize outstanding journalistic talent among young Canadians. Since 2001, three candidates have been selected every year to participate in a week-long study tour to experience the EU institutions, the Canadian Mission to the EU, and media outlets in Brussels. Winners will also attend the daily European Commission press briefing. All expenses are paid for by the European Union Delegation to Canada. Winners will also benefit from a one-year CAJ membership or one-year CAJ membership renewal.

Prior to the trip, winners will be invited to an awards ceremony co-hosted by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons and the CAJ on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The Eu-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship seeks to foster links between Europeans and Canadians and to raise awareness of the European Union among a new generation of Canadian students and journalists.

Winners are required to submit a sample of their work and to chronicle their study tour experience online or in print during the study tour or upon their return from Europe (i.e. published articles, blogging, social media platforms).

Deadline for submissions is May 3 2023. The study tour to Brussels will take place the week of 9 October 2023.

In order to be eligible, participants must be:

  • Actively enrolled in a Canadian university/post-secondary institution or active in the field of journalism
  • Between the ages 18-30
  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident

Applications must include:

  1. Sample of work
    • Applicants are invited to submit a recent sample of their work in any format, in English or French, about the European Union or European Union-Canada relations.
    • Entry requirements:
      • If print: News stories or opinion pieces of maximum 1,000 words, unpublished or unpublished within the previous six months from application date.
      • If audio-visual: News reports of up to 90 seconds duration or mini-documentaries of anywhere between 4 and 5 minutes.
      • The date of the unpublished text or report must be indicated. In case of published text or broadcast report, the date and name of media outlet must be indicated.
    • The jury will pay particular attention to journalistic qualities and talent, rigorous research, factual accuracy and topic relevance to EU and EU-Canada relations.
  2. Letter of motivation
    • Applicants must write a letter of motivation clearly outlining specific topics they plan to write about during/upon return from Europe and where their work will appear (media outlet, social media, blog etc.)
    • Winners will have complete editorial independence and, while the Delegation and the Canadian Association of Journalists will retain the right to publish/reproduce their work to promote the program in future years, applicants will maintain intellectual property rights of their work.
    • The letter should also include the reasons for applying and the anticipated benefits to be derived from participation in the study trip.
  3. Curriculum vitae
  4. Proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status

The closing date for applications is May 3 2023.

Please note that incomplete applications, i.e. applications not containing all of the above documents submitted at the same time, will not be considered.

For audio-visual entries, please send online link by e-mail or USB by mail with the application.

Applications are to be sent either by e-mail to DELEGATION-CANADA-POL@eeas.europa.eu or by mail to the following address:

 

Delegation of the European Union to Canada
Ref.: EU-Canada Young Journalist Fellowship
150 Metcalfe Street, Suite 1900
Ottawa, Ontario K2P 1P1

Final selection by the Jury:

The Jury, consisting of EU Delegation representatives, professional journalists and academics, will meet in spring 2023 to select the best pieces received by the closing date. The decisions of the Jury will be final. The three winners will be notified directly.

The Study Tour will take place in October 2023

Established in 1976, the European Union Delegation to Canada is a fully-fledged diplomatic mission and, as such, the natural contact point in Canada between the EU and the Canadian authorities. It also has a strong public diplomacy mandate designed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of the European Union as well as EU-Canada relations.

The Canadian Association of Journalists is a professional organization with over 1,300 members across Canada. The CAJ’s primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members.

For further information:

Diodora Bucur, EU Delegation Press Officer
Diodora.Bucur@eeas.europa.eu | 613-563-6354 | Twitter: @EUinCanada | facebook.com/EUinCanada

Monique Durette, Canadian Association of Journalists Operations Manager
monique.durette@caj.ca | Twitter: @caj | facebook.com/CdnAssocJournalists

Past Fellowships

CAJ/APTN 2020 Fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Journalism

This fellowship provides a 12-week, paid placement with APTN Investigates in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the winter-spring of 2020. During this time, the recipient is expected to produce a full-length piece of original, investigative journalism that will air on APTN Investigates, the first Indigenous investigative news program in Canada.

The fellowship recipient will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the CAJ and an invitation to #CAJ20 National Conference taking place May 29-30, 2020 in Montreal. The finished piece will be screened to the conference delegates and followed by a panel discussion.

The selection process is chaired by the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), to ensure the highest journalistic standards are upheld. The fellowship is administered and funded by APTN.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Journalists of a First Nations, Inuit or Métis background who are eligible to work in Canada and have a minimum of three years’ professional experience working in a media outlet or as a freelancer. The recipient must be willing to relocate to Winnipeg for the period of the fellowship placement.

What should be included in the application?

  • A reporting plan, no more than 750 words and laying out the story pitch – including its topic, potential impact, draft timeline, how the applicant expects to tell the story, and why they are the best person to tell it;
  • A résumé of no more than two pages;
  • Up to three work samples – preferably broadcast clips provided via links or PDFs of print work;
  • Up to three letters of reference.

GUIDELINES

Fellowship recipients will produce a 22-minute original investigative documentary providing information, analysis, and insight on an issue facing First Nation, Inuit or Métis Peoples in Canada.

The fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Journalism will provide a 12-week paid placement with the award-winning APTN Investigates team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the winter-spring of 2020.

Audio-visual support, editing, legal support and mentorship will be provided by APTN. The recipient will work under the guidance of an APTN Investigates producer and the executive producer during the fellowship.

During this time, the recipient is expected to produce a full-length piece of original, investigative journalism that will air on APTN Investigates, the first Indigenous investigative news program in Canada.

APTN Investigates episodes can be found here: 

https://aptnnews.ca/aptn-investigates-full-episodes/season-8/

Proposals must demonstrate an original idea, either a previously unexamined issue or a storyline that shines new light on a topic that involves or impacts First Nation, Inuit or Métis Peoples.

The Fellowship is open to reporters – both freelancers and staff reporters – with at least three years’ experience as a journalist.

Applicants must be Indigenous, permanent residents of Canada, or entitled to work in Canada.

Successful applicants are expected to relocate to Winnipeg, Manitoba, for their 12-week placement to focus exclusively on their fellowship.

The journalist and APTN will retain complete editorial control over the fellowship project.

Published work shall remain the intellectual property of APTN and the fellowship recipients. However, the CAJ will reserve the right to use and share completed projects with attribution to promote the fellowship program.

Fellowship alumni will be engaged to share observations about their experiences with Canadian audiences through activities such as events or seminars – for example, the CAJ’s annual conference.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Eligibility

To become a Fellow for Indigenous Investigative Journalism, applicants must:

  • Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
  • Have at least three years experience as a freelance, part-time, or full-time journalist
  • Be First Nation, Inuit or Métis, and have a deep knowledge of Indigenous issues.

The deadline for this fellowship is now closed.

Applicants to the fellowship must provide a package, in English, which outlines their proposed reporting project, including:

  1. Reporting plan:
    The reporting plan includes the story pitch and outlines how the research will be conducted. In no more than 750 words, applicants should describe:

    1. The proposed topic and angle;
    2. The potential impact of the story and why it is an important story to share with Canadians;
    3. How the research would be conducted, including a timeline – any travel plans for shooting should not exceed more than five days;
    4. Any innovative digital media techniques, such as an interactive or multimedia component, will be considered an asset; and,
    5. Why the applicant is best-qualified to undertake this project. 
  2. Resume:
    A resume of no more than two pages, which demonstrates the applicant’s suitability for the fellowship.
  3. Work samples:
    Up to three (3) work samples in any medium demonstrating the applicant’s suitability for the Fellowship. Preference will be given to applicants with previous broadcast experience. Applicants can provide web links to any broadcast pieces, and/or provide print work in PDF format.
  4. Letters of reference:
    Up to three (3) reference letters, recommending the applicant for the Fellowship. Letters from individuals who have supervised the applicant in a journalistic capacity are preferred.

Applications are accepted by email only. All materials should be provided in PDF format, in English. Total attachment size should not exceed 10 megabytes per email.

SELECTION PROCESS

An independent jury, chaired by the CAJ, will evaluate the applications. Committee members include individuals such as senior journalists with an extensive background in reporting on Indigenous issues.

Only applicants shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.

Please email your package to awards@caj.ca with “Application: Fellowship for Indigenous Investigative Reporting” as the subject line.