Oscar van Leer Fellowship in Journalism

The Bernard van Leer Foundation is an international philanthropic foundation based in The Hague that seeks to improve opportunities for disadvantaged young children.

It has a long and respected track record of working internationally on early childhood development and children’s rights.

Host Institution(s):

Radio Netherlands Training Centre

Field of study:

Journalism related to early chilhood development and children’s rights

Target group:

Journalists from qualifying countries (Mexico, Kenya, India (Orissa), Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Caribbean Region) who have an interest in covering children’s issues.

Scholarship value/inclusions:

Four-week, expenses-paid professional training course in the Netherlands.

Eligibility:

  • Should be from qualifying countries (Mexico, Kenya, India (Orissa), Peru, Colombia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Caribbean Region)
  • The fellowship is intended for ambitious young journalists with an interest in children’s issues but the fellowship is also open to receive applications from older and more established journalists. Therefore, there is no age limit.
  • Need not be an expert in children’s issues but should be interested in learning more about the issues faced by disadvantaged young children, and the ways in which media coverage can raise awareness and shape opinions of them.
  • Applicants must be connected to a reputable media outlet, either as an employee or as a frequently published freelance contributor, and must intend to continue to pursue a career in the media.
  • The fellowship is open to journalists in all forms of media, including print, radio, television and web.

    Application instructions:

    Send the following requirements to ovlf-applications@bvleerf.nl by the deadline:

  • A completed application form (word file)
  • A letter of motivation
  • Your resumé (please include an indication of the reach of the media outlet/s for which you work, in terms of circulation or audience figures)
  • One example of your work, which has something to do with the situation of children in your country. This could be a piece of writing, a short film or radio broadcast. It can be something you have had published already, or it can be something you produce especially for the purpose of accompanying this application. We would like to publish on our website the work submitted by shortlisted candidates, so if the work you submit has been published already, please ensure this would not cause copyright issues.

    Contact information:

    For any questions that are not addressed in the frequently asked questions page (see link below), contact the foundation at ovlf-info@bvleerf.nl for further guidance.

    Application Deadline; Annual

    For More Information and Application, Please Visit; Oscar van Leer Fellowship Website