Soros Justice Advocacy and Media Fellowships

Posted by on August 08, 2011

Applications Invited for Soros Justice Advocacy and Media Fellowships
Deadline: October 12, 2011

An annual program of the Open Society Institute, the Soros Justice Fellowships fund outstanding individuals seeking to implement innovative projects that advance the efforts of the Open Society Foundations to reform the U.S. criminal justice system.Among other things, OSF seeks to reduce the destructive impact of current criminal justice policies on the lives of individuals, families, and communities in the U.S. by challenging the overreliance on incarceration and harsh punishment and ensuring a fair and equitable system of justice.

Fellowships are awarded in two categories:

Advocacy: Soros Justice Advocacy Fellowships fund outstanding individuals — including lawyers, advocates, grassroots organizers, activist academics, and others with important perspectives — to initiate innovative policy advocacy projects at the local, state, and national levels that have a measurable impact on one or more of the Open Society Foundations’ U.S. criminal justice reform priorities. Projects may range from litigation to public education to coalition-building to grassroots mobilization to policy-driven research. Advocacy Fellowships are eighteen months in duration, may be implemented in conjunction with a host organization, and can begin in the spring or fall of 2012. Advocacy Track I fellowships, designed for new and emerging leaders, provide a stipend of $75,000; Advocacy Track II fellowships, aimed at individuals with a demonstrated record of achievement and expertise in their fields, provide a stipend of $105,000.

Media: Soros Justice Media Fellowships support writers, print and broadcast journalists, bloggers, filmmakers, and other individuals with distinct voices proposing to complete media projects for local, regional, and national markets that engage the public and spur debate on one or more of the Open Society Foundations’ U.S. criminal justice priorities. The fellowships aim to mitigate the time, space, and market constraints that often discourage individuals from pursuing important but marginalized, controversial, or unpopular issues in a comprehensive manner. Media fellowships are one year in duration, and fellows are expected to make their projects their full-time work during the term of the fellowship. Projects can begin in either the spring or fall of 2012. Media Track I fellowships, designed for new and emerging media makers, provide a stipend of $50,000 and up to $4,000 for project-related expenses; Media Track II fellowships, aimed at more experienced individuals, provide a stipend of $70,000 and up to $4,000 for project related expenses. (Please note that photography projects — production or distribution — are not eligible for funding through this fellowship program. The Open Society Institute has a separate program for documentary photography projects.)

Visit the OSI Web site for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.

http://www.soros.org/initiatives/usprograms/focus/justice/news/justice-fellows-call-20110705