The Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship will award US$10,000 in financial support to an individual journalist, author, or writer from the United States or China for a project that will enhance understanding between the two countries.
Melvin M.S. Goo was a veteran journalist who led a 34-year career in the United States and Asia prior to his passing in 2016. Born in Macau and graduating high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Mr. Goo worked for 18 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at The Honolulu Advertiser. In 1977 he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Mr. Goo continued his career in Asia, rising to Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and later Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News.
Funding:
This East-West Center fellowship is supported by a generous endowment from the Melvin M.S. Goo Memorial Fund.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be a national or permanent resident of either the United States or the People’s Republic of China.
The project:
- May be produced in either (or both) English or a Chinese language variety (applications must be submitted in English).
- Must be published or otherwise made publicly accessible in the United States and/or China; potential mediums include publication in print, print or online periodicals, etc.
- Must be an original work; completed or published projects will not be considered.
- Must be completed and delivered (i.e. published or distributed) by the end of 2024.
Travel is encouraged but not a required component of this fellowship; any travel must be funded by the grant and arranged by the selected Fellow.
Selection Criteria:
Proposed projects will be evaluated by a Selection Committee organized by the East-West Center based on several criteria, including:
- How the proposed project will promote better understanding between the people of the United States and China.
- A principal focus on underreported feature topics (such as cultural issues, lifestyles, education, youth, the arts, etc.).
- Any presence of elements in conflict with the Fellowship’s mission, including divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
- Whether the project’s intended audience is sufficiently broad and/or influential to contribute to the Fellowship’s mission.
- Confidence that the project’s sources are sufficiently diverse, reliable, and well-informed.
- Creativity and impact.
Application:
Applicants must submit each of the following documents to be considered:
- The online Goo Fellowship application form.
- Project Proposal (maximum 6 pages).
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
- At least three (3) representative examples of prior work (e.g. writing samples, digital portfolio, etc.).
- Two (2) professional references with letters of recommendation.
