TRAVEL GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS

Transcription

1 TRAVEL GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS Travel Grant Overview Each semester, Student Services administers the travel grant program, giving students the opportunity to submit a travel reporting project proposal. All proposals are reviewed by a faculty committee. Travel grants can range from up to $950 for domestic travel and up to $2000 for international travel. Grant Cycles Fall Released October 12. Due: October 22. Only Second year students may apply. Spring Released January 31. Due: February 20. First and Second year students may apply. Your completed proposal application must include: As ONE PDF, complete the following: Your name and names of crew or co-reporters Trip destination(s) Intended medium(s). A full description of your project (1000 words max). All necessary reporting logistics you will need to set up for the project to succeed. A timeline of proposed travel and reporting A list of other stories that have been done on your topic. A budget (see guidelines below)

2 Then: Complete the online application (link is below, see #4 in How to Submit your application ). Inform your faculty adviser that you have submitted your application and they should receive a notification from Michele for follow up information. Travel Grant Proposal Guidelines The proposal should be 1000 words or less. For the proposal, it is the quality of story, well expressed and clearly described, that determines success for the grant: What is the story, what is your access, who are the major characters/experts who have agreed to be interviewed, what is the larger significance of the story? Delineate any pre-production and pre-reporting already completed, this is a key part of the proposal. Use the list of previous cover to show the bigger context for your story, it is an opportunity to demonstrate what will be unique about your reporting. Note how your story will be different or build on what has already been done. Why is your project relevant in context of the other coverage? The proposal should be seen as an opportunity to articulate your vision of the finished story. Share any possible contacts for potential publication, if you know an editor, or somewhere you ve pre-pitched the idea. The committee is looking for proposals which have the most potential for publication. The committee is looking for a story with the biggest potential and greatest impact. Travel Grant Budget Guidelines In addition to a PDF of your grant proposal, that is 1000 words or less, also include a budget. The budget should clearly list expenses as follows: Create a budget for your trip that includes travel estimates (air, train, car, etc.), lodging, and crew. Delineate in the budget needed expenses for crew members or second student student producer. Why are they necessary? Students may apply for travel grants which fund up to one additional crew member per project. Students should plan to submit one application with both students listed. Please include your full budget even if it s over the grant cap. The grant is not intended to cover equipment or meals.

3 Project Adviser Expectations 1. Your adviser should read, edit, and fully vet your proposal BEFORE it is submitted. 2. Once project is submitted, both your adviser and Michele. 3. Michele will follow up with the adviser for approval. Travel Grant Proposal Policies, Eligibility and Requirements Students may apply for travel grants which fund up to one additional crew member per project. The additional crew member can apply for up to $950 for domestic grants and up to $2000 for international travel. Students should submit one application. Professionalism is a must. Proposal should be completed on time and thoroughly vetted by the faculty adviser. Typically, a student will only receive one international travel grant, therefore it s highly recommended you reserve your ask for your Master s Project if you think it ll be an international story. Travel funding is limited. Most students receive one travel grant during their two years in the program. Retroactive grants are available after all new reporting grants are considered. Applicants must be in good academic standing and have no incompletes or unsatisfactory marks in their Journalism classes. Grants will not be awarded to any student who has an incomplete project from a previous grant award or a course. Students must be on track for graduation. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The application is only intended for second, third and fourth semester students. It is not intended for travel in the first semester. Fall travel grants are intended to cover fall and winter travel. Spring travel grants are intended to cover travel during the spring term. Summer travel will be considered after spring grants. The Travel Grant Program is not intended to fund summer internship travel. Funding is to be used only to meet the direct costs related to the proposed reporting project, including travel expenses, supplies, and related services for purposes of reporting for the project. The travel grant program used to consider funding for conferences. A new process has opened up an application for conference funding.

4 Submitting Your Application 1. Draft proposal and budget. 2. Ask adviser to read and review with you. 3. Send proposal and budget as ONE PDF to Michele Kerr by deadline 4. Complete the online information application by the deadline. 5. Once Michele receives your online information, she will contact the adviser directly to complete their approval form. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE COMMITTEE. If you have questions, contact Michele at or All applicants will be notified by early November about grant approval. Travel Grant Info. Session for 2nd year students October 15, 2018 Additional Notes Pre-production: Provide specific names of contacts you have already contacted, especially for International stories. Professionalism: Present your travel application as if you were pitching to a magazine and if you were requesting funding from them. Stories that have the most potential in the real world are what rise to the top. Consider the humanizing factor in your proposal. Include at least one paragraph of color, so the committee can fully visualize your story. What is your desired outcome? Trip logistics: include pre-planning: why you re going, what new reporting you re bringing to the table. Spend time going through your drafts with your advisor. Don t wait until the last minute to approach them. They have to fully understand your proposal. If you are hoping to bring a crew member, explain fully why it s necessary to bring them. Crew members don t necessarily receive the same amount of funding. Tell us how you would spend the grant money. Provide a true reflection of what this trip is going to cost you. You can provide your full budget, but highlight what the travel grant money would specifically apply to. Fall travel grant is intended for winter travel and occasionally into Spring travel. Grant is intended for the story you apply for only. Let the committee know if there are any changes in your travel plans. If you are traveling to Alaska, Puerto Rico, or Hawaii, you potentially can receive more than a domestic grant, but less than an International grant amount. Do not try to hide previous coverage of your topic. Make a case as to why your story would stand out. In general, it is a good practice to track your expenses, as a professional. You will need to hand in your receipts and excel sheet with expenses one week after returning.

5 Travel grants will not be processed until you hand in your travel kit (details on gold bar of website). Version 10/17/18