The Simon Cumbers Media Fund is now seeking applications from third level students interested in travelling to a developing country to report for a national media outlet. The Fund is once again teaming up with Newstalk and TheJournal.ie to offer two students the opportunity to work with experienced journalists to develop their story proposals.
Supported by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Student Scheme is designed to give students a greater understanding of the developing world. The winning students will be funded to travel to one of Irish Aid’s key partner countries to research and produce a media project focusing on development issues for the media outlets. The mentors for this year’s competition are Newstalk producer Susan Cahill; and TheJournal.ie deputy news editor, Daragh Brophy.
Launching the 2019 Student Scheme, Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon TD said: “The Simon Cumbers Media Fund Student Scheme is a fantastic initiative for both promoting coverage of development issues in Irish media and providing students with a real-world experience of reporting on assignment from one of Irish Aid’s partner countries. Over the past number of years students have reported on vital stories that otherwise might have gone untold. The Student Scheme is open to students from all disciplines so I would encourage all young people with a keen interest in development issues to apply. I very much look forward to seeing the successful projects.”
Last year’s winners were Shauna Bowers and Arthur Velker, both from DCU. Shauna reported on the aftermath of a natural disaster in Sierra Leone for TheJournal.ie. Arthur reported on the challenges for those who are in undocumented in Sierra Leone, and the technological drive to increase birth registrations, for Newstalk. Previous recipients have reported on topics such as the fight against leprosy in Tanzania, the use of contraception in Uganda and female beekeepers in Ethiopia.
An information session for those interested in applying to the Student Scheme will be held at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 on Wednesday, 20th February at 6pm. Students who wish to attend should register by emailing info@simoncumbersmediafund.ie, putting “Dublin Information Session” in the subject line.
Third level institutions interested in hosting a regional information session should email info@simoncumbersmediafund.ie, putting “Regional information session” in the subject line.
Applications to the Student Scheme must be submitted online through this website by Friday, 22nd March 2019. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend for interview with the mentors and a representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Full details of the scheme are available here.
