The Michener Awards Foundation provides two fellowships to encourage excellence in journalism that serves the public interest:
the Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Journalism
the Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Journalism Education
Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Investigative Journalism
This fellowship, supported by BMO Financial Group, is Canada’s premier award to encourage excellence in investigative print, broadcast, and online journalism.
Applicants for the fellowship are expected to undertake a project that aspires to the criteria of the annual Michener Award for journalism with its emphasis on identifiable benefits for the public good, improvements in public policy, ethical standards, corporate governance or the lives of Canadians.
The fellowship is available to a mature journalist with at least five years’ experience for four months’ leave. It provides $30,000 and accountable expenses of up to $5,000.
Proposals are expected to deal with subjects of direct interest to Canadians. Applicants must be Canadian citizens who are active in Canadian journalism. They do not have to be resident in Canada at the time of application.
Application Process
All applicants are expected to submit an outline for a proposed project (PDF format). The application must include a letter of reference attesting to the capacity of the candidate to deliver the proposed project and, where applicable, employer support for the candidate. Additional documentation such as undertakings of access or cooperation from third parties, will be welcome. The judges will take into consideration the quality of the candidate’s presentation.
To assist you in your written proposal, please include answers to the following questions:
- What is the research question that drives your proposed investigation? (What is already known about this topic, and what needs to be found out? Please be as specific as possible.)
- How is this topic of public importance and what is its potential public impact?
- What will be the chief sources of information for your investigation? (Please list as many types of sources as apply.)
- In what way would you describe this project as “investigative” in nature?
- What is your publication plan? Ideally, this will include multiple national platforms, along with proof that approaches have been made, and that there is interest and support from a senior editorial person.
Applications must include an expression by an employer or a news organization of intent or, preferably, a commitment to publish or broadcast the completed project. The publication or broadcast must indicate that the project was supported and funded by the Michener Awards Foundation. In addition, the project or a summary must be made available for posting on the website of the Michener Awards Foundation.
The Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Journalism Education
This fellowship, supported by supported by CN and the family of the of the late Paul S. Deacon, is dedicated to the advancement of the education of Canadian journalists.
The fellowship helps the foundation to fulfill one of its longstanding objectives, to support journalism education.
The successful applicant will become a designated mature journalist-in-residence at a recognized Canadian school of journalism. The judges will award the fellowship on the merits of the applicant’s proposal for a course of study over one semester. During the semester the journalist will be expected to lecture students in the applicant’s specialty and act as an advisor/mentor. The applicant may propose a course of study in any discipline with application to journalism such as economics or politics.
The purpose of the Fellowship is to strengthen the education of both the successful applicant and the regular students in the journalism program.
The Fellowship provides $30,000 and accountable expenses of up to $5,000. Canadian citizens or residents of Canada who are active in Canadian journalism are eligible.
Applicants are expected to have a minimum of five years’ experience in news or editorial departments of newspapers, news agencies, radio and television, magazines, websites or online publications.
Freelancers who have five years’ experience in journalism will be eligible and are encouraged to apply.
Application Process
All applicants are expected to submit an outline for a course of study (PDF format). A resumé that includes detailed work history should accompany the application. Academic records are not required but they are welcome if the applicant considers them relevant.
Candidates must include a written authorization for leave from an employer, where applicable, and disclose any additional means of financial support that may be available such as continuing salary and travel expenses.
Candidates should also include a letter from the host department providing approval for the application and describing how it will support the candidate. The provision of office space, library privileges, computer and telephone (if needed) are examples of the kinds of support that will be necessary. The letter should confirm that the school will organize one public lecture for the journalist-in-residence and facilitate arrangements for other lectures and/or mentoring during the semester.
The successful applicant will be expected to refrain from full-time regular professional work during the term and to return to the practice of journalism in Canada upon its completion.
While not a requirement of the Fellowship, journalists in one of the official languages may apply to undertake a course of study at a journalism school in the other official language.
The Foundation will have full and sole responsibility for the administration and judging of the fellowship. Applications will be judged by an independent panel to be selected by, and reporting to, the Michener Awards Foundation.
The Michener-Deacon Fellowship for Journalism Education is named for The Right Honourable Roland Michener who established the Michener Awards and Paul S. Deacon, a former Foundation president, whose initiative and generosity led to the creation of the annual fellowship.