Earth Journalism Fellowships to the UNFCCC COP16 Climate Summit in Mexico – Nov 29-Dec 10, 2010

Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is proud to announce the launch of a Fellowship program that will send at least five US journalists to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Cancun (COP16) in late 2010.

As part of the Climate Change Media Partnership, EJN has brought developing country journalists to the annual UN climate summits over the past three years. This complementary program from EJN will provide US journalists with the same opportunity, enabling them to cover the summit for their home media organizations, work with experienced and knowledgeable journalists from around the world, and gain a multifaceted understanding of climate change's global impact and reach. This project is being carried out in cooperation with the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ).

As part of the fellowships, EJN will cover travel, lodging and daily subsistence expenses, arrange press accreditation at COP16, and provide other support services. The Fellows will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session, breakfast briefings, a field trip and a media clinic.

EJN fully respects the editorial independence of all journalists. Throughout the conference, Fellows are free to report as they see fit. EJN does require that Fellows provide copies of all the stories they file during COP16 for posting on our website and that they show collegial attitude towards other Fellows. One of the main benefits of this program will be the opportunity for Fellows to exchange views and information with their journalistic peers from around the world.

Fellowship applications open September 1, 2010 and close September 19, 2010 at midnight EDT. This year's Fellows will be announced on October 4, 2010. All journalists working for media aimed at US audiences are eligible to apply. Criteria for evaluating applicants will include the prospective fellow's demonstrated interest in climate change issues; prospective audience size; and the ability of the Fellowship to provide an opportunity for those journalists who might not otherwise have a chance to cover such events. Although we expect there will be a diverse range of experience and regions represented among the Fellows, one goal of this program is to reach audiences that are currently underserved when it comes to climate information.

The Earth Journalism Network is a project of Internews and a longtime partner of the Society of Environmental Journalists. EJN is grateful for SEJ's support and assistance in the selection of our US Fellows. Funding for this program is provided by private US foundations, including the Germeshausen Foundation and the Robert and Michelle Friend Foundation.

Applicants will be required to:

• Complete and submit an online application form before the September 19, 2010 deadline.
• Provide a support letter from their editor, producer, or supervisor

[Note: Freelance journalists are welcome to apply, but must provide a letter of support indicating that their stories will be published or broadcast]

• Provide two samples of their work, published within the last 12 months
• Have a valid passport that will not expire before June, 2011

Internews Network and Internews Europe developed EJN to empower and enable journalists from developing countries to cover the environment more effectively. EJN establishes networks of environmental journalists in countries where they don't exist, and builds their capacity where they do, through training workshops and fellowship programs, the development of briefing materials and online tools, support for production and distribution, and the provision of small grants.

Founded in 1990, the Society of Environmental Journalists is the world's oldest and largest membership association of individual journalists, educators and students dedicated to more and better news coverage of environmental issues. With approximately 1,500 members, SEJ works to strengthen the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public understanding of environmental issues.