Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism 2023-2024

The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism 2023–2024 are currently accepting applications. A diverse group of writers from Latin America, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States are supported by the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism at the Carter Center. In-depth interest among fellows in some of society’s most pressing mental health issues.

The goal of the mental health journalism fellowships program, which was established in 1996 by the former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, was to provide journalists with the tools they need to cover one of the world’s most underreported health issues — mental health — and to combat the stigma that millions of people experience on a daily basis through storytelling.

Over the past two decades, more than 220 journalists from New Zealand, Romania, South Africa,
and current participating countries have been awarded the highly-competitive fellowships.
Today, fellows work within their newsrooms and beyond to report on mental health challenges
and transform their communities in the process.

Eligibility:

• Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
• Be a citizen or legal resident of any country in Latin America, Qatar, or United Arab
  Emirates.
• Have at least three years of professional experience in journalism (writing, reporting,
  editing, producing, filmmaking et al). Projects are tailored to fellows’ experience and
  interests and should be relevant to the dynamic mental health and substance use
  landscape in their country or coverage area. Fellows employed full-time are not required to
  leave their jobs. Preference is given to journalists who work with or for a media outlet that
  expresses support for and commitment to publishing or broadcasting fellowship projects.
• Have a strong interest in mental health reporting during and after the fellowship year.
  Previous mental health reporting experience is not required.
• The Learning Lab to train and prepare fellows for the fellowship year, held at the beginning
  and end of the fellowship year every September, is virtual due to Covid-19 until further
  notice. Previously, fellows attended training at The Carter Center.

Application:

The following are required materials for application:

• Short Biography. A paragraph including a biography, accomplishments, and awards.
• Summary of proposed project. A short paragraph describing the issue you would like to
  report on, why you have selected that issue and what you hope to achieve with your
  reporting. (150-word limit)
• Resume that includes media organizations for which you have worked or produced work,
  professional memberships, and other achievements.
• Informal essay (800-word maximum)
  • Describe your reasons for applying for the fellowship.
  • Clearly outline your proposed project and a plan for completion, including your
    expected project timeline and potential obstacles, if any.
  • Discuss the significance and timeliness of your topic.
  • Describe the potential impact of the project.
• Work samples
  • Submit two samples of your best work, at least one of which should be in the medium
    proposed for your project. Please do not submit hard copies that cannot be replaced;
    mailed materials cannot be returned.
  • Work samples do not have to be mental health related.
• Letters of recommendation
  • One letter of recommendation is optional for submission.
  • If you opt not to submit a letter of recommendation, it will not count against your
    application.
  • If you decide to submit a letter of recommendation, please submit a letter from
    someone familiar with your work.
  • The recommender should be able to speak to the quality of your work and
    commitment to your project and/or mental health reporting.
  • The recommender will be asked to submit their letters online after the
    application has completed the application.
• Letter of support from media outlet: Applicants must provide one letter of support from a
  media outlet.
  • If you have a full-time employer, one letter from your publisher, editor, manager or newsroom leader in support of your application and/or project is required.
  • If you’re a freelancer or self-employed, the letter of support must come from an
    individual familiar with your work. Preference will be given to applicants with letters
    from editors or publishers that indicate a clear interest and strong likelihood of
    running the fellowship project.
  • The letter of support should be submitted online once the applicant has completed
    the application process.

Click here to apply