JWF Fellowships

On this page
Eligibility
Fellowship Funding
How to Apply
Deadline
Selection Process
History
Frequently Asked Questions





The Jack Webster Foundation offers professional development opportunities for BC journalists to enhance their skills and/or knowledge.

The Jack Webster Foundation will fund BC journalists to attend seminars at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersbrug, Florida, a school for journalists that has been offering short-term professional development courses for more than 25 years. These three to five day seminars are offered on a wide range of topics. Visit www.poynter.org to research the programs of interest to you.

Or, you can create your own self-defined opportunity to upgrade your knowledge and/or skills. Consider taking time away from work or develop a project that you can do while working, return to school, produce a documentary, take an evening program or follow the story you have always wanted to.

Since the program's inception in 2001, over $194,000 has been awarded for knowledge, skills or research-based fellowships.

Fifty-seven BC journalists have received fellowship funding from the Jack Webster Foundation. Many have attended the Poynter Institute for courses such as Managing People and Plans for Breaking News; Leadership for New Managers; TV Power Reporting: Telling Stronger Stories; Online Leadership Seminar; Poynter's Leadership Academy; Backpack Journalist; and Essential Skills for the Essential Journalist.

Journalists have also created their own programs or attended specialized journalism programs. From an Investigative camp at the Missouri School of Journalism to Olympic non-accreditation guidelines to research for a documentary. The Jack Webster Foundation welcomes all applications that assist BC journalists in pursuing professional development.

One Poynter Institute fellowship award will be presented in the name of the late Don Matheson, a former BC reporter. This fellowship is designed for a BC-born journalist.


Eligibility
A British Columbia news journalist that is a BC resident and/or a fulltime employee or correspondent for a BC print, broadcast or an online news organization is eligible to apply. Also, BC self-employed or freelance journalists whose work has been aired or published continuously in a BC print, broadcast or an online news organization over a three-year period are eligible for a Jack Webster Foundation fellowship. Applications from BC journalism educators are also welcome.


Fellowship Funding
Up to $12,000 annually will be available. The Jack Webster Foundation will make the final determination as to the amounts awarded.


How to Apply
Please complete an application form and send to the Jack Webster Foundation with attachments. You will need to include your resume, and a letter from your employer supporting your application and indicating your availability to participate. Please ensure that you send three copies of your application form and supporting material. Please indicate on the application form if you are BC-born in order to be considered for special Poynter Insititute fellowship for BC-born journalists.



Deadline
Deadline for Applications: postmark your application by Feb 28, 2014


Selection Process
A selection committee will review the applications and announce the recipients by March 31, 2014. The successful applicant must complete the Fellowship research project or skills upgrading by December 31 of the year.


Award History
Initially, the fellowships were open to broadcast journalists with funding from Telemedia Inc and then Standard Broadcasting. Since 2007, the Jack Webster Foundation has added fellowships for print and online journalists. In 2009, an award in the name of the late Don Matheson, a BC reporter, was added.



Frequently Asked Questions
How is the successful applicant chosen?
The selection committee, comprised of members of the Jack Webster Foundation will consider each application based on its merits.

Consideration will be given to the following: for skills-based applications-the tangible outcomes; for research-based projects (for broadcast journalists only) - the timeliness of the subject matter, the degree to which public knowledge and understanding of issues is advanced and the efficient use of funds.


What kinds of projects will be considered as self-defined opportunities for broadcast journalists?
All projects will be considered. The Fellowship allows BC Broadcast journalists to create self-defined opportunities to upgrade or acquire new knowledge or skills. For example, a TV or Radio journalist may apply to an educational institution and acquire knowledge in a specific area, such as, law, health, business, or economics or may create a self-defined opportunity to learn more about a specific current issue. Alternatively, the journalist may upgrade his/her skills to meet rapidly evolving technologies.


How will the successful applicant receive the funds?
The Jack Webster Foundation will enter into an arrangement with the successful applicant to provide the funds in a manner consistent with the applicant's project. For example, if the successful applicant is attending the Poynter Institute or similar organization, the Jack Webster Foundation will either pay the tuition to the organization directly or reimburse the fellowship recipient. All other costs will be reimbursed upon providing receipts to the Jack Webster Foundation.

Please note that the funds must be utilized by December 31 of the year following the year you receive the award.


What other organizations have recipients attended besides the Poynter Institute?
Interest has been expressed in the Missouri School of Journalism's seminars, Investigative Reporters and Editors' seminars and the Banff Centre for Science Communication. The Jack Webster Foundation welcomes applications to attend any organization offering short term professional development.


Why do I have to include my BC birthplace?
The Jack Webster Foundation was fortunate to be the recipient of funds from the late Don Matheson, a BC reporter. The bequest stipulates that the recipient be BC-born.

This BC-born requirement applies to only one of the Poynter fellowships offered. If you are not BC born, you are eligible for other of these Poynter fellowships.


Who has received a JWF Fellowship?
From 2001 to 2013, the following BC journalists have received Jack Webster Foundation fellowships:
Caroline Arbour, Radio Canada
Jessica Barrett, WE Vancouver
Sharron Bates, Global TV
Jill Bennett, CKNW Newstalk 980
Patrick Blennerhasset, Black Press
Glenn Bohn, Vancouver Sun
Bal Brach, Global TV
Dean Broughton, 24 Hours
Rob Brown, CTV
Michele Brunoro, CTV
Gregg Carmichael, CTV
Audrea Chan, Fairchild TV
Gloria Chang, freelance
Bruce Claggett, News 1130
Sam Charles, Shaw TV
Kate Corcoran, CTV
Cale Cowan, Victoria Times Colonist
Melanie de Klerk, Global National News
Colleen Dane, Comx Valley Record
Robert Doane, CBC Prince George
Jasmin Doobay, CKOV 63
Dale Drewery, Freelance
Charelle Evelyn, Prince George Citizen
Ethan Faber, CTV
Neil Godbout, The Prince George Citizen
Kathryn Gretsinger, CBC
Sandy Heimlich-Hall, CFJC TV
Margo Harper, CTV
Denise Helm, Times Colonist
Sandra Hermiston, CTV
Gordon Hoekstra, Prince George Citizen
Lisa Johnson, CBC News
Claudia Lau, Fairchild TV
Barry Link, Vancouver Courier
Brian Liu, Global National and CanWest Interactive
Hazel MacClement, CTV
Mona Mattei, Boundary Sentinel
Aaron McArthur, Global BC
Wendy McLellan, The Province
Katie Mercer, The Province
Connie Monk, BCIT Broadcast Journalism faculty
Dene Moore, The Canadian Press
Anne Mullens, freelance
Elaine O'Connor, The Province
George Orr, BCIT Broadcast Journalism faculty
Sarah Petrescu, Times Colonist
Paolo Pietropaolo, freelance
Catherine Pope, Global BC
Pamela Post, CBC
Cheryl Rossi, Vancouver Courier
Maxine Ruvinsky, Thompson Rivers University faculty
Bhinder Sajan, CTV BC
Betty Selin, Standard Radio
Gillian Shaw, Vancouver Sun
Mohini Singh, CHBC TV
Kelly Sinoski, The Vancouver Sun
Eric Szeto, Global Okanagan
Mary Kay Thurston, BCIT Broadcast Journalism faculty
Janis Warren, Tri-City News
Ed Watson, CTV
Jonathan Woodward, CTV


Where can I receive answers to specific questions?
You may write or call the Jack Webster Foundation or email the Executive Director at info@jackwebster.com.