Purposes of the IAPA Scholarships Program
The Inter American Press Association was established in 1942 to defend and promote the right of the peoples of the Americas to be freely informed through an independent press, essential for which is a journalism that is responsible, objective and open to all currents, so as thus to contribute to a better understanding among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere.
In 1954 the IAPA established its Scholarship Fund for young American or Canadian journalists for an academic year’s study in some Latin American or Caribbean country, and for young Latin American and Caribbean journalists to take courses in journalism at some recognized university in the United States or Canada during one academic year.
The Aspirants
Applicants must be natives of countries in the Western Hemisphere, journalists or students in the final year of their journalism course, be between 21 and 35 years old, be fluent in the language of the country where they will go to study. Journalism students will have to complete their university studies before the start of the scholarship year.
Applicants from the United States and Canada should have documentation from a recognized authority confirming fluency in Spanish, or Portuguese for those going to Brazil. Latin American applicants will have to undergo a TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
The place
Latin American or Caribbean scholarship winners will have to study for an academic year at any recognized journalism school in the United States or Canada. The IAPA does not recommend any in particular.
Those from the United States and Canada will be able to study in any Latin American or Caribbean country with the approval of the Scholarship Fund. They will have to take a minimum of three university courses and present a thesis-reportage on some aspect of the country they are visiting.
The Scholarship Amount
The IAPA Scholarship Fund is supported exclusively by contributions from IAPA member publications and private foundations. The IAPA, zealous of its independence, does not accept donations from governments.
Scholarship winners from the United States and Canada will receive $20,000 for the academic year.
Scholarship winners from Latin America and the Caribbean will receive $20,000 for the academic year plus round-trip airfare, they having to return to their country of origin at the end of the one year of studies.
Payments will be made in regular installments by an authorized officer of the Scholarship Fund. Included in that total ($20,000) are all the items that the scholarship winner may require.
Those scholarship winners that study in the United States will have to declare their annual income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In conformity with that, the IAPA will, or will not, retain the sum established by law.
Application deadline
Applications and their respective documents must be received before January 30s. The documents supporting and certifying the information in the application can also be sent by e-mail to
[email protected] or by mail to IAPA Scholarship Fund, 1801 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33129.
The applications should include all the information required on the respective form. It is also a requirement to send the documentation. If the information is not provided the application will not be considered.
The winners of the scholarships will be announced in March 2015 following the IAPA Midyear Meeting. All qualified participants will receive official notification from the IAPA of the result of the award of scholarships.
If you meet the mentioned requirements you can obtain the register form on this page, Application Online. Or request it at:
IAPA Scholarship Fund
[email protected]
1801 SW 3rd Avenue, Suite 800
Miami, FL 33129
