AAN Announces Scholarships and Grants for 2013 Annual Convention in Miami

AAN is once again offering scholarship funds to encourage the next generation of journalists and journalism managers to attend the Annual Convention in Miami, July 11 – 13.

“The Board of AAN, for the second year in a row, is offering the next generation of alt media professionals grants and scholarships to our annual conference,” explained AAN President Fran Zankowski. “These scholarships and grants were a big hit bringing a diverse class of interns and junior staffers to our 2012 conference. We fully expect grantees and scholarship winners to be a fully active part of our Miami conference.”

There are three separate scholarship programs available:

1. Diversity Scholarships for people who would not be able to go the convention without the scholarship.

2. Next Generation Student Grants for journalism students who have shown interest in alternative media.

3. Next Generation Professional Grants for both sales and editorial staff under the age of 35 who are currently employed by an AAN company.

“Like many of my peers, I’ve often felt like a co-star in the straight-to-video, ‘Honey, I Shrunk the Editorial Budget,'” said 2012 diversity scholarship recipient Enrique Limón, who is now the arts & culture editor at the Santa Fe Reporter. “Receiving an AAN Diversity Scholarship to last year’s conference in Detroit was the only way I could have managed to attend. The conference itself, along with the connections I made there, are an experience I will cherish throughout my professional life.”

All scholarship/grant applications must be received by the AAN office via email by Wednesday, May 22, 2013.



2013 AAN Convention Diversity Scholarships

AAN will award scholarships of up to $500 to AAN-publication staffers and contributors to attend the Annual Convention.

The scholarship will pay for hotel and airfare (receipts would need to be provided) up to $500. The registration fee for the conference would be waived by AAN.

These diversity scholarships are intended for people who would not be able to go the convention without the scholarship.

The recipients will be determined by the AAN Diversity Committee, in conjunction with the AAN office.

Each applicant should send:

1. Cover letter explaining your motivation for attending the conference and what you hope to gain from the experience.


2. A resumé or 3 clips/work samples.

During the convention, grantees will be invited to meet with long-time AAN members/leaders.

Applications must be submitted to via email by May 22, 2013.



2013 Next Generation Student Fund

The Next Generation Student Fund is a new scholarship fund of the the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. It will support the development of the next generation of journalists and journalism managers in alternative newsmedia.

The fund will be made available to no more than five journalism students who have shown interest in alternative media. This year, the program will help underwrite the fees associated with attending the Annual Convention in Miami, July 11 – 13. (airfare and hotel) Grants of up to $1000 as well as free convention admission will be offered to winning applicants. The goal is to directly support the growth, education, and professional development of the next generation of journalists while connecting younger journalists with mentors.

Preference will be given to writers and designers who have published AAN-style work in any media and are currently enrolled or recent graduates of college thinking about a career in journalism. Both online and print work will be considered, along with recommendations from educators and professional mentors.

Applicants should submit their requests to the Next Generation Student Fund including:

1. Resumé or description of educational and/or media experience.


2. No more than five examples of published work with some explanation.


3. At least one recommendation of an educator of mentor.


4. No more than 300-word description of motivation for attending the conference.

During the convention, grantees will be invited to meet with long-time AAN members/leaders. This is a complement/sister program to the Next Generation Professional Fund.

Applications must be submitted to via email by May 22, 2013.



2013 Next Generation Professional Fund

The Next Generation Professional Fund is a new scholarship fund of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia. It will support the development of the next generation of journalism professionals currently working in alternative newsmedia.

The fund will be made available to individuals under the age of 35, currently employed in an AAN company. A priority will be given to writers, designers or new media professionals who have either entered the association’s annual contest this year or have been finalists or won awards in the past, although the fund is available to any AAN member who demonstrates need and interest.

The program will help underwrite fees associated with attending the AAN convention in Miami, July 11 – 13. (Airfare and hotel) Grants of up to $500 as well as free convention admission will be offered to winning applicants.

The goal is to directly support the growth, education, and professional development of the next generation of AAN leaders while connecting younger journalism professionals with mentors.

Applicants should submit their requests to the Next Generation Professional Fund including:

1. Resumé or description of educational and/or media experience.


2. URLs or print clips (for editorial applicants) or an example of a successful strategy/project/campaign (for sales/business applicants)


3. No more than 300 word description of motivation for attending the conference.

During the convention, grantees will be invited to meet with long-time AAN members/leaders. This is a complement/sister program to the Next Generation Student Fund.

Applications must be submitted to via email by May 22, 2013.



See Also: Registration Now Open for AAN Annual Convention in Miami