The program is supported by the Shuttleworth Foundation and the Open Society Foundation.
The purpose of the AIAC Fellowship is to support the production of
original work and new knowledge on Africa-related topics that are
under-recognized and under-covered in traditional media, new media, and
other public forums. It particularly seeks to amplify voices and
perspectives from the left that address the major political, social, and
economic issues affecting Africans in ways that are original,
accessible, and engaging to a variety of audiences.
Fellows will be writers and/or other cultural/intellectual producers
who can contribute meaningfully to transforming and expanding knowledge
about Africa and the diaspora. Each fellow will receive a grant of up to
US$3,000 to create original work on a topic of their choice for AIAC
over a 9-month period. While they expect that most fellows will produce
essays and/or reporting and analysis, they are also open to work in
other formats, such as photo essays, documentary videos, and more.
Fiction, poetry, and fine and performing arts are not eligible for
support from this program.
Africa Is a Country Fellowship Program Eligibility.
- Anyone may apply. Preference will be given to applicants who are at a
fairly early stage in their careers as well as to applicants from or
resident on the African continent..
- Applicants do not need to make a living from their writing/creative
output but rather must demonstrate they have the ability to produce
important, compelling, and original work that shares and furthers AIAC’s
mission.
Africa Is a Country Fellowship Program Benefits.
Each fellow will receive a grant of up to US$3,000 to create original
work on a topic of their choice for AIAC over a 9-month period.
Fellowship funds may cover time, travel, translation or other
expenses. Limited additional funds may be available to support equipment
or additional services on a case-by-case basis.
Africa Is a Country Fellowship Program Requirements.
- One of AIAC’s core missions is to bridge language gaps. Translation
of finished work and partnerships with media outlets in languages other
than English are encouraged. If needed, AIAC will work with fellows to
identify potential partners. All work republished elsewhere must credit
the Africa Is a Country Fellowship.
- At the end of the fellowship, AIAC will ask fellows to submit a
two-page report detailing the impact of the fellowship on their work and
how funds were expended.
- Expected output will vary according to the project. For instance,
someone may want to write a long essay and some short op-eds, write a
long essay and make a short video, create written work and an episode or
series of short podcast episodes, produce a photo essay or series of
photo essays, etc. AIAC reserves the right of first publication on all
output resulting from the fellowship program. Any output from the
fellowship that AIAC declines to publish may be published elsewhere
under a Creative Commons License.
- Once the proposal is accepted and the outputs agreed on, AIAC does
not control the process but will provide editorial advice and support.
Fellows are required to check in with the AIAC editorial team on a
monthly basis, so that AIAC can adequately support the work as needed
and facilitate connections that allow fellows to support one another.
How to Apply for Africa Is a Country Fellowship Program.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applications received by February 20, 2020 will receive priority consideration.
- All applications submitted by the priority deadline will be notified
of the status of their application no later than March 1, 2020. Anyone
wishing to submit an application after that point should check with us
to make sure that spots remain available.
- The fellowship will end nine months after the grant is disbursed.
(Funds may take one month to be disbursed after applicants are
accepted.)
APPLY HERE OFFICIAL LINK
