scholarship: overseas press club

Deadline: Saturday, December 1, 2007
Apply

Graduate and undergraduate students, studying at American colleges and universities, who aspire to become foreign correspondents, are invited to apply for one of twelve $2,000 scholarships to be awarded by the Overseas Press Club Foundation.

Winning an OPC Foundation scholarship is more than a cash award. Winners are invited to join the Overseas Press Club family. They are encouraged to network and keep the organization apprised of their career moves.

The Foundation also pays travel and living expenses for interns in foreign bureaus at such leading news organization as the Associated Press and Reuters and at small publications like Cambodia Daily. In many cases, winning a prestigious OPC Foundation award has helped launch careers.

The judges require that applicants submit a Cover Letter, Resume and Essay. The applicant's name and school should appear at the top of each page. The Essay of approximately 500 words should concentrate on an area of the world or an international issue that is in keeping with the applicant's interest. It can be in the form of a story, news analysis or essay.

Recent winners have written on such diverse topics as playing black jack on the Trans-Siberian Railroad, political activism in Morocco, and social upheaval in China.

Applicants are also encouraged to submit essays showing a strong understanding of, or interest in, global economic issues such as trade, finance, emerging markets, immigration or environmental impacts.

The Cover Letter should be autobiographical in nature addressing such questions as how the applicant developed an interest in this particular part of the world, or how he or she would use the scholarship to further journalistic ambitions.

The judges respond well to applications showing strong reporting skills, color, and understanding or passion.

Winners will be contacted in December so that arrangements can be made for them to attend the Foundation Scholarship Luncheon in February 2008 in New York City at the Foundation's expense. Recipients are expected to attend.

Applicants do not have to be US citizens. Applications may be sent by mail, fax or email. Please choose one. Email is preferred (Word or PDF).

Email: foundation@opcofamerica.org
Fax: 201-612-9915

Mail:
William J. Holstein
President
Overseas Press Club Foundation
40 West 45 Street
New York NY 10036

For more information, contact Jane Reilly, Executive Director, at foundation@opcofamerica.org or call 201-493-9087.