Taenzer Fellowship For Disability-Engaged Journalism

Open Call for Applications and Nominations:

Do you know of a passionate disabled writer who is eager to explore the intersection of journalism, technology and disability? Do you aspire to shed a critical light on the impact of assistive technologies and mainstream technologies through a disabled lens? If so, we invite you to apply or nominate a deserving candidate for IEEE Spectrum's Taenzer Fellowship for Disability-Engaged Technology Journalism.

About the Fellowship:

Our Fellowship for Disability-Engaged Journalism was created to resource new, early- and mid-career disabled journalists as they produce compelling narratives that spotlight the everyday and unique challenges and ideas that disabled people encounter with technology. Whether you're an experienced journalist or an emerging writer, this fellowship offers a unique opportunity to develop your craft, while being supported with the accommodations you need to pursue stories. The Fellowship will run through the end of 2025.

Benefits of the Fellowship:

• Stipend: Fellows will receive a $2500 one-time stipend to support their commitment to investigative reporting on disability-related tech topics.

• Compensation: Ordinary professional freelance compensation will be provided by contract for the stories developed during the fellowship period, ensuring that fellows are recognized for their valuable contributions.

• Coverage of Assistive Services: We understand the importance of accessibility in journalism. Therefore, as part of assignment contracts, the fellowship will cover expenses for assistive services required by fellows to pursue their stories. These services include but are not limited to American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, mobility aids, and document conversion.

• Schedule Flexibility: This fellowship will represent a part-time commitment, and as such can be maintained alongside other part-time work, freelance or gig work, and other schedule obligations. The requirement is that Taenzer Fellows have sufficient time to engage with the program through development workshops and report and write multiple news stories and one feature-length article during the course of their 18-month fellowship period. The scheduling will be as flexible as possible.

Eligibility Criteria:

- Journalists at early- to mid-career stages, including freelancers, are encouraged to apply, or those interested in entering journalism.
- Demonstrated interest or experience in writing about technology, disability rights, or related topics.

- Capacity to commit to the fellowship's duration and deliver high-quality journalistic work.

How to Apply or nominate a candidate:

To apply or to nominate a deserving candidate for this fellowship, please submit the following materials:

1. A resume or curriculum vitae highlighting the candidates journalism experience and relevant achievements, or an email address where we can request a resume from nominees.

2. A statement of interest (500 words maximum) outlining your motivation for nominating someone or applying, your/their experience or interest in disability-engaged journalism, and what areas of technology you/they are interested in examining.

3. Three samples of the candidate's published writing, preferably showcasing their ability to cover topics related to assistive technologies, disability rights, or technology through a disability lens. Self-published items, such as blog posts, or items written for limited circulation venues, such as an organizational newsletter will be considered.

Submission Deadline: August 1st, 2024.

Please send your application materials to cass.s@ieee.org with the subject line Taenzer Fellowship Application."

Contact Information:

For inquiries or further information, please contact Stephen Cass at cass.s@ieee.org or Margo Anderson at m.k.anderson@ieee.org.

Join us in making a meaningful impact through storytelling that fosters understanding, empathy, and inclusivity in journalism. Nominate someone now for the IEEE Spectrum Taenzer Fellowship for Disability-Engaged Technology Journalism and be a catalyst for change in the technology media world today!