The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism

Mental illnesses constitute some of the most serious, unrecognized, and under-reported health problems in the United States and around the world. As part of an international effort to reduce stigma and discrimination, The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism provide stipends to journalists from the United States and Colombia — and previously in Romania, South Africa, and New Zealand — to report on topics related to mental health or mental illnesses. The goals of the fellowships are to:

• Increase accurate reporting on mental health issues and decrease incorrect, stereotypical information
  
• Help journalists produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of mental health issues through exposure to well-established resources in the field
  
• Develop a cadre of better-informed print and electronic journalists who will more accurately report information through newspapers, magazines, radio, television, film, and online and social media, influencing their peers to do the same.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Eligible applicants for a fellowship must:

• Have at least three years of experience in print or electronic journalism (writing, reporting, editing, producing, filmmaking)
• Submit a complete application, including three letters of recommendation
• Awarded fellows must attend orientation and presentation meetings in September, at the beginning and end of the fellowship year
• Be a citizen or legal resident of the United States or Colombia (View application procedures for international applicants.)

Application Materials

To complete the online application, be prepared to provide the following:
Resume: A list of representative publications, membership in professional organizations, major journalism prizes and/or awards and year awarded.
Objectives for Fellowship and Project Description: In an informal essay, not to exceed 1000 words:

• Describe reasons for applying and how this fellowship could benefit the applicant's body of work
  
• Clearly outline the proposed project and a plan for carrying it out
  
• Discuss the significance and timeliness of the topic, and explain the feasibility of the project
  
• Detail the potential impact the chosen topic and overall fellowship may have on reducing the stigma of mental illnesses

Samples of Professional Work:
Submit up to three examples of your work. At least one of the samples should be in the media form proposed. Articles should be in original format published or scans of originals. Do not submit an item that cannot be replaced. Materials cannot be returned. Please note that it is not required for the articles submitted to be mental health pieces.
Letters of recommendation (three total):
Names, titles, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of two people familiar with your work who can comment on your abilities and potential as a journalist and should provide letters of recommendation.
Publication Information:
Name, title, e-mail address and phone number of your organization's publisher, editor, producer, manager or director, who can support your application and write a letter of this support. If self-employed, a letter of recommendation must come from an individual familiar with your work.

Applications for the 2015-2016 fellowship year should be submitted no later than Friday, April 17, 2015.
"Informed journalists can have a significant impact on public understanding of mental health issues as they shape debate and trends with the words and pictures they convey." 
– Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter
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