Purposes of the IAPA Scholarship Program

The Inter-American Press Association was established in 1942 to defend and promote the right of the peoples of the Americas to remain freely informed through independent, responsible and objective journalism that contributes to a better common understanding.

In 1954, the IAPA established its Scholarship Fund for American and Canadian reporters, editors and  newsroom professionals (columnists, bloggers, caricaturists, VJs, photographers, etc.), early in their careers, to study journalism or related fields at the graduate level at accredited universities in Latin America or the Caribbean; and for Latin American and Caribbean journalists to study similarly in the U.S. or Canada. The program does not grant visas, which procedure must be completed by scholarship applicants.

Starting with the 2020 scholarships, all applicants also may apply to study at universities accredited by the Latin American Council for Accreditation of Education in Journalism and Communication (CLAEP). Click  here to see the CLAEP universities.  

Qualifications

Applicants must be native to countries in North and South America, or the Caribbean; reporters, editors or managers at newspapers, broadcasters or digital news media platforms; between the ages of 21 and 35 years old at the date of application; with mastery of the language of the program of study. Applicants from the U.S. and Canada must provide certification from a recognized authority of proficiency in Spanish; or Portuguese for those going to Brazil. Latin American applicants must pass a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) language exam.

Scholarship amount

The IAPA Scholarship program is financed exclusively by the contributions of its media members and private foundations. The IAPA does not accept donations from governments. Scholars will receive up to $20,000 for the school year plus reimbursement for round-trip airfare (economy class). Payments will be made by IAPA’s administrative office (in Miami).  Scholarship winners are responsible for additional expenses and agree to return to their home countries at the end of the year of study. This scholarship program does not provide stipends for spouses or children.

Scholars studying in the United States must file the scholarship as income with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Commitment

Scholarship winners agree to write an essay between seven and ten thousand words on a topic of their choice that is part of their school year and will previously be submitted to the supervisor of the scholarship program. It is recommended that the work be submitted one month before the end of the scholarship period. The works will be published by IAPA and distributed among its member media.

Application deadline

For the 2019-2020 scholarship cycle, applications and documentation will be received by IAPA between November 18, 2019 and January 31, 2020. Documents must be submitted electronically to [email protected].  Applications must include all required information. If all information is not supplied, the application will not be considered. Winners will be announced during April 2020 following IAPA’s mid-year Assembly. All qualified applicants will receive official notification from IAPA with the result of the awarded scholarships.

The application package must include:

1.)   The registration application.

2.)   An autobiographical essay in English, Spanish, or Portuguese; of about 200 words.

3.)   An essay on the projected curriculum, about 200 words.

4.)   Three letters of recommendation sent directly to [email protected].  

5.)   A resumé (CV).

6.)   Three examples of the published or broadcast news articles by the applicant.

7.)   The TOEFL score for applicants whose native language is not English and who apply to study in the U.S.

8.)   A copy of the academic transcript and university diploma documenting that applicants completed their undergraduate studies. There is no need to notarize or translate them.

The best way to start is to apply to the graduate program you want. The chance of winning the IAPA scholarship is better if the candidate has already been accepted.

Here is the information that IAPA need to receive to process your application:

1. Personal data

Last Name(s)

Name(s)

Housing address

City, State, Zip Code

Country

Phone (fixed)

Phone (cell)

Email address

City and country of birth

Current and valid citizenship

Age

Date of birth

Gender

Marital status

Emergency contact in country of residence (name, address, phone, email, relationship)

Emergency contact of study country (same data from above)

2. Education

List the university or colleges you were enrolled in starting with the most recent:

Name and location

Diploma/area of expertise

Dates (Start, End)

2.)

Etc.

List any academic honors, scholarships and other distinctions that you received.

List additional education or activities which are relevant to your career.

3.) News Media Jobs Held

1.)

Employer Name

Your position or position

Dates (start, conclusion)

2.)

Etc.

List your special interests, memberships, professional organizations.

List the countries in which you have lived or visited / the purpose of those visits / and dates.

4.) Study Plans

Name the country and university where you aspire to study.

Note your projected work plans following course completion.

Describe in about 200 words your purpose in applying for this IAPA fellowship.

5.) Autobiography

Write in the language of the country and the program where you aspire to study an essay of about 200 words about your professional plans for the future.

6.) Academic Transcript 

Send the academic transcript of your college studies directly to [email protected]

7.) Letters of Recommendation 

Send three letters directly to [email protected]

8.) Certification

I certify that the information in this application is complete. I agree to comply with the necessary regulations and return to my home country at the conclusion of this scholarship.

Applicant's signature, and date

Language in which you will undertake your studies

Check a single box: ( ) English ( ) Spanish ( ) Portuguese ( ) French)

Certificate of language proficiency

For non-native English speakers, document the result of a certified TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam.

To be submitted by the language instructor and transmitted directly to [email protected].

Certification

I ______ (name of instructor) _____ certify that ___(applicant name) ____ has completed a language program noted above it, conducted by me, with the result of:

Ability to understand spoken language: ( ) excellent ( ) good ( ) regular

Ability to understand written language: ( ) excellent ( ) good ( ) regular

Ability to speak that language: ( ) excellent ( ) good ( ) regular

Ability to write that language: ( ) excellent ( ) good ( ) regular

Comments and/or additional comments:

Instructor Name:

Address:

Charge:

Signature and date: