The WPI fellowship is offered to 10 journalists from countries around the world. It provides immersion into the governance, politics, business, media, journalistic ethics and culture of the United States for experienced international journalists, through a demanding schedule of study, travel and interviews throughout the country.
The program begins in mid-August and ends in mid-October. The 2015 Fellowship Program has ended. Applications for the 2016 program will open on December 1, 2015 and close on February 15, 2016.

The fellows will spend three weeks in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, and then travel to several U.S. cities, including New York and Washington, D.C., for briefings, interviews and visits. They will return to Minnesota for the final week of the program. See the Program Review for examples of WPI events.

Journalism — in particular, the role and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy— is the primary focus of the WPI fellowship program. First-hand knowledge of the complexity and diversity of life in the U.S. is an equally important goal. Access is the key. Over the term of the fellowship, WPI fellows gain access to a broad range of individuals and institutions ranging from the world renowned to the ordinary.
Since 1961, WPI has brought almost 600 journalists from nearly 100 countries to the United States.

Selection Process:

Selection is a competitive process. Each year hundreds of journalists apply to the program. Fellows are picked by the WPI selection committee, composed of journalists and corporate communications specialists, all with international experience. Finalists for the fellowship will announced by email.

During this online application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

Applicant information

• Employment History And Education
• Two Essays Are Required As Part Of The Online Application. They Are:
• Please Describe Your Professional Goals And Achievements (In 200-500 Words)
• Why Are You Seeking A WPI Fellowship? What Do You Expect To Gain? What Do You Expect To Contribute? (200-500 Words)
• Color Photo Of Yourself
• Work Samples
• Awards, Fellowships,
• Three Letters Of Recommendation

Eligibility Requirements

• At Least Five (5) Years Full-Time Employment In Print, Broadcast, Or Online Journalism.
• Journalists Can Work For News Or Editorial Departments Of Newspapers, Wire Services, Radio, Television, Web Sites, Online Publications Or Magazines Of General Public Interest.
• Photojournalists, Editorial Cartoonists, Columnists And Broadcast Producers Are Also Eligible.
• Those Who Supervise Journalists Are Eligible Providing That They Also Have At Least Five Years As A Working Journalist.
• Any Journalism-Related Work Completed As A University Student Does Not Count Toward Experience. People Who Work In Public Relations Or At Organizations Whose Primary Business Is Not The Media Are Not Eligible.
• Must Be Currently Employed As A Non U.S. Journalist Working Outside Of The United States.
• Fluency In Both Written And Spoken English.
• Potential For Leadership

Letters of Recommendation

During the online application process, you will need to provide the names and email addresses of three (3) references. WPI will contact them with information on how they can submit online letters of recommendation.

Recommendations should be written by individuals familiar with your work who can comment on your journalistic abilities and potential for growth and leadership. These letters should be in English and address your experience, qualifications, and potential.

One of the three recommendation should be from your immediate supervisor.

Work Samples

Please make sure all samples contain the date on which they were published. Most, if not all, of your samples should have been published or aired within the last two years.

If your samples are not in English, please include an English summary of their contents

Work samples can be uploaded with the online application. Fi

DVDs, audio/video files, or samples that exist only on paper and that cannot be converted to digital form can be sent to the address below. Please note that samples cannot be returned.

Terms of the Fellowship

• WPI Fellows Are Required To Prepare For And Participate In All Briefings And All Other Scheduled WPI Events. They Must Agree To Stay For The Entire Program And To Return To Their Home Countries At The Program’s Conclusion.
• WPI Requires That Fellows Write For The WPI Web Site, Including The Blog, WPI Reports, And Submit Up To Three Stories For WPI’s Online Partners During Their Fellowship. They Are Also Encouraged To File For Their Readers, Listeners Or Viewers Back Home.
• Periodic Reviews And Evaluations Are Required, And WPI Fellows Participate In Several Roundtable Discussions About Their Insights Into The U.S. Or International Journalism Issues.
• Fellows Must Have A Tolerance For Others Of Different Cultures. The Program Involves A Lot Of Travel, Is Nonstop, And Fellows Live Out Of Suitcases Much Of The Time As Venues Change Frequently.
• Violations Of These Terms Could Result In Termination From The Program