The Media Fellowship program of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada offers up-and-coming and established journalists the opportunity to spend time in Asia researching and preparing stories. The program aims to help Canadian journalists become better informed about this dynamic part of the world in order to write and broadcast insightfully on Asia and and Canada-Asia relations. To date, the program has supported 98 journalists, including well-known Canadian media figures such as Carol Off, John Ivison, Daphne Bramham, Nathan VanderKlippe, Chantal Hébert, Paul Kennedy, and Francis Bula, among others.
The Media Fellowships are a component of the Foundation’s Research Grants Program, funded through the proceeds of an endowment established by the Government of Canada. All grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
The fellowship accepts creative proposals that examine important and emerging stories on issues impacting Asia and relevant to Canada. Proposals that align with the Foundation’s current work around emerging technology, AI and data governance, economic security and supply chain resilience, maritime governance and security, energy security, climate solutions, space, trade and investment, and the Arctic will be given preferential consideration.
Eligibility
The Media Fellowship program is open to any journalist who is a citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada, employed by a Canadian magazine, newspaper, news service, business publication, radio, television station, new media or multimedia outlet as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, or as a freelancer. Applicants must have at least two years experience in their field and have an established history of publication in Canadian news media. Applicants must also ensure they have or are eligible for the appropriate visas to enter, transit, and exit their country or countries of interest. Previous recipients have ranged from veteran reporters to promising journalists. Recipients of Media Fellowship awards from APF Canada are not eligible to apply until three years after their previous award.
Expected Deliverables
- A minimum of three stories with at least one intended for digital media;
- Implementation of a social media strategy (including, but not limited to X, Instagram, and Facebook) promoting your stories to a wider audience; and,
- One 60-second video, podcast, or blog post aggregating your work upon completion of the fellowship for APF Canada's website.
Application Procedures
Applications should include:
• A 500-750-word (max.) proposal. The proposal should demonstrate the motivation and rationale for choosing a topic of interest and why it is important to the intended audience. It should include a detailed outline of concrete steps for the assignment, including a plan of execution and dissemination highlighting where the resulting articles/programs will be published or broadcast.
• A budget of up to C$10,000, including travel, accommodation, and in-country expenses.
• A current CV.
• Two examples of written or broadcast work. Where possible, please provide links to the examples of previous work. Alternatively, please include copies as a single PDF or as digital media files.
• A letter from a prospective editor/producer, stating a willingness, in principle, to run stories resulting from this trip, subject to normal editorial judgment.
Selection
Successful applicants will be selected by a jury formed by APF Canada. The key criteria are: significance of the topic, project feasibility, potential impact, and personal qualifications. The judges’ decision will be final.
Reporting Requirements
Financial:
Seventy-five per cent of the Fellowship will be awarded upon signing of the award agreement. Twenty-five per cent will be withheld until final reporting. As per Revenue Canada requirements all Grant payments will be reported on a T4A at the end of each calendar year (refer to www.cra-arc.gc.ca IT340R and IT75R4 for additional information).
Post-Fellowship Wrap-up:
Journalists will be expected to produce their completed articles and programs no later than March 31 of the next year. Recipients will be expected to forward to the Foundation copies of completed articles and programs that result from their trip.
Recipients will be invited to record or write a short testimonial reflecting on the opportunities provided by the fellowship program.
Recipients will also be required to provide a short written report (700-1,000 words) to provide feedback on their trip and help refine the Foundation’s media fellowship program. Recipients may be invited by the Foundation to present their insights and findings during their trip to Asia at either the Foundation’s Vancouver or Toronto office.
Application Deadline
Currently closed til Spring 2025.
Where to Apply
Applications and questions may be emailed to: michael.roberts@asiapacific.ca or mailed to:
Communications Director
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
680-1066 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, B.C.
V6E 3X2
Applications are accepted in English and French.
*The Foundation reserves the right to cite the results of research funded under the grants program, and grant recipients may be called upon for media and outreach activities co-ordinated by the Foundation.
