Expand your skills and invest in your career
The Jack Webster Foundation offers eligible BC journalists the opportunity to attend the Poynter Institute in Florida for short-term professional development courses or to create a self-defined fellowship for research or enhancement of skills.
Also keep checking the Poynter site as new in-person courses are announced from time to time.
Seventy-eight BC journalists have received fellowship funding from the Jack Webster Foundation since the program’s inception in 2001. Journalists have attended Poynter courses such as Summit on Reporting and Editing. TV Reporting Academy and Leadership Academy. Others have created their own programs or attended specialized journalism programs. From an investigative camp at Missouri School of Journalism to research for a documentary, the Jack Webster Foundation welcomes applications that assist BC journalists in pursuing professional development.
Each year, one Poynter fellowship award will be presented in the name of the late Don Matheson, a former BC reporter. This fellowship is designed for a BC-born journalist.
Initially, the fellowships were open to broadcast journalists with funding from Telemedia Inc and then Standard Broadcasting. Since 2007, the Jack Webster Foundation has added fellowships for print and online journalists. In 2009, an award in the name of the late Don Matheson, a BC reporter, was added.
ELIGIBILITY
A British Columbia news journalist that is a resident and/or a fulltime employee or correspondent for a BC print, broadcast or an online news organization is eligible to apply. Also, self-employed or freelance journalists whose work has been aired or published continuously over a three-year period are eligible for a Jack Webster Foundation fellowship. Applications from BC journalism educators are also welcome.
CRITERIA
FELLOWSHIP FUNDING
At this time, two fellowships will be available each year. For applications to Poynter, the Jack Webster Foundation will cover the cost of a course, flights and accommodation, the total amount subject to final approval by the Foundation. The recipient will cover his or her own personal costs including food, etc.
SELECTION
The Jack Webster Foundation will announce the recipients by mid March. Recipients will have until the end of February of the year following the announcement of their award to complete their fellowships, though recipients may request an extension.
HOW TO APPLY
TO APPLY FOR A POYNTER FELLOWSHIP
Please complete the following steps:
Step 2
Attach the following entry requirements in your application form:
A current resume
A letter from your employer supporting the application and confirming your availability to participate
A statement or essay of 250-500 words (maximum) describing your daily duties, the relevance of the seminar to your job, your goals for the seminar and how you will apply the training back in your newsroom
Step 3
Click submit form and wait for confirmation.
Note:
- Please indicate on the application form if you are BC-born in order to be considered for the special Poynter fellowship for BC-born journalists.
- If selected, you will then apply to Poynter for admission into the seinar that you wish to attend. The Poynter website outlines the steps necessary to apply. Your fellowship is subject to receiving admission approval from Poynter.
- Should the deadline for application or the actual date of the course you wish to take, fall before the Foundation Fellowships are announced in approximately mid-March (so courses with dates of Jan/Feb or March), and if you take the course/are accepted, you may still apply for a Fellowship and if you are chosen, funds will be reimbursed to you, after the fact, for the following: airfare, hotel, transfers from home to airport, airport to Poynter and return, any baggage fees, and the course fee. Copies of receipts must be submitted in order to be reimbursed for these costs.
TO APPLY FOR A RESEARCH BASED OR SELF-DEFINED FELLOWSHIP
Please complete the following steps:
Step 2
Attach the following entry requirements in your application form:
A current resume
A letter from your employer supporting the application and confirming your availability to participate
Two reference letters
A project outline (up to four pages) which includes:
- purpose, timing
- details of the project or special courses/studies to be undertaken
- output including future use of the material, benefits to applicant, media and community
- budget, including a breakdown of your expenses such as travel, course fees, etc.
Step 3
Click submit form and wait for confirmation.
DEADLINES
FELLOWSHIP FUNDING
The deadline for 2020 applications is midnight, February 29th, 2020.
FAQ
How is the successful applicant chosen?
The selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of the Jack Webster Foundation, will consider each application based on its merits.
Consideration will be given to the following: for skills-based applications-the tangible outcomes; for research-based projects – the timeliness of the subject matter, the degree to which public knowledge and understanding of issues is advanced and the efficient use of funds.
How is the successful applicant chosen?
The selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of the Jack Webster Foundation, will consider each application based on its merits.
Consideration will be given to the following: for skills-based applications-the tangible outcomes; for research-based projects – the timeliness of the subject matter, the degree to which public knowledge and understanding of issues is advanced and the efficient use of funds.
How is the successful applicant chosen?
The selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of the Jack Webster Foundation, will consider each application based on its merits.
Consideration will be given to the following: for skills-based applications-the tangible outcomes; for research-based projects – the timeliness of the subject matter, the degree to which public knowledge and understanding of issues is advanced and the efficient use of funds.
How is the successful applicant chosen?
The selection committee, comprised of members of the Board of the Jack Webster Foundation, will consider each application based on its merits.
Consideration will be given to the following: for skills-based applications-the tangible outcomes; for research-based projects – the timeliness of the subject matter, the degree to which public knowledge and understanding of issues is advanced and the efficient use of funds.
