From 1983 to 2001, IDRC provided support to training new generations of development journalists through internships at two well-known news services: the Gemini News Service in England and l’Agence Periscoop in France. The awards permitted research by Canadian journalists into issues related to international development, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the concerns and priorities of the South.  The program was discontinued as these agencies restructured and were no longer able to host interns.  The IDRC Awards for International Development Journalism program, which grants awards to graduate students at Canadian universities, offered another option to development journalists.

 

New and appropriate host agencies in Canada and overseas were subsequently identified and IDRC now supports five awards in science journalism for mid-career journalists, the IDRC-[host organization] Science Journalism Awards.

 

Four organizations host science journalists annually:

Agence Science Presse (Montreal, Canada): Two (2) francophone journalists (one Canadian, one developing-country national): These awards are not currently being offered.

Nature (London, England):  One (1) Anglophone Canadian journalist

Research Africa (Cape Town, South Africa):  One (1) Anglophone journalist from sub-Saharan Africa

SciDev.Net (London, England): One (1) Anglophone journalist from a developing country

 

Each of these five internship awards are worth CA $ 60,000.  The host organizations manage the awards for IDRC.  Science journalists undertake internships for three to four months, developing their professional skills in science reporting and research at these organizations.  The journalists then undertake research and reporting in one or more developing countries for a further three to four months. They also participate in a major science journalism conference during their award tenure. They share their practical experiences and network with “new” and more experienced science journalists from around the world. The skills and knowledge gained allow them to report the work of local scientists more effectively and to influence policy-makers in developing countries.

 

To apply for one of these awards, please contact the organizations directly.

For the August 31st 2010 competition, click here.