Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Reporting

Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Reporting
September 2009-June 2010

The Metcalf Diversity Fellowship was an important stepping stone into environmental filmmaking for me. Without it I would never have been able to make videos for NPR Science Friday, visit various parts of the U.S., and learn so much about environmental issues today - and make videos about them.
MA Shumin, Independent Filmmaker, http://mashumin.com, 2007-2008 Metcalf Diversity Fellow

The Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Reporting is a 42-week fellowship program that provides traditionally under-represented racial and ethnic minority journalists with an opportunity to learn basic science, gain environmental research and reporting skills, and apply new knowledge and skills in a 38-week reporting assignment.

The Diversity Fellowships program consists of four weeks of independent study at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography with science faculty mentors, including an orientation and immersion workshop that integrates science and environmental justice issues; and 38 weeks of reporting on science and the environment with reporter and editor mentors. Fellows may work in radio, television, and print outlets such as The American Prospect; The Boston Globe; Chicago Tribune/chicagotribune.com; The Christian Science Monitor; EarthSky Communications; High Country News; Los Angeles Times; Minnesota Public Radio; National Geographic; NOVA Science Television; The Providence Journal; Sacramento Bee; Salon.com; PRI's The World; and Talk of the Nation: Science Friday.

The fellowship includes a $30,000 stipend paid over ten months and limited travel support. The stipend does not include health benefits.

Eligible journalists must have a minimum of one year of professional journalism experience, U.S. citizenship, and a demonstrated interest in improving their environmental and science reporting skills.

The Diversity Fellowships in Environmental Reporting are currently funded by a grant from the Geosciences Division of the National Science Foundation (see news release). The number of fellowships to be offered for the 2009-2010 class will depend upon funding.

I was delighted with our Metcalf Diversity Fellow - he was engaged, up-to-speed, eager. He was able to start making a valuable contribution to our operation right away. Not only did we get a sterling candidate, but Metcalf staff was admirably supportive and engaged with the fellows. I was impressed.
Owen Thomas, Deputy Feature Editor, The Christian Science Monitor

Having Ambar [Espinoza] in the MPR newsroom helped us broaden and deepen our environmental reporting. The payoff was in the service to our listeners and improving our lead over our competition on this important beat.

Mike Edgerly, Deputy News Director, Minnesota Public Radio

This program has done a wonderful job of bringing diversity and more reporting help to our newsroom during a time when financial pressures are forcing us to cut back on our resources for covering the news.
Peter B. Lord, Environment Writer, The Providence Journal