AAN is offering scholarship funds to encourage the next generation of journalists and journalism managers to attend the Annual Convention in Nashville, July 10 – 12.
“We don’t just pay lip service to media diversity, we’re taking action by providing funds to help bring a diverse group of attendees to our conferences,” said AAN President and Boise Weekly publisher Sally Freeman. “These scholarships are just one example of how AAN is cultivating the next generation of alt media leaders to ensure the future success of our industry.”
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 Professional Grants for both sales and editorial staff under the age of 35 who are currently employed by an AAN publication.
3. Next Generation Student Grants for journalism graduate students who have shown interest in alternative media.
All scholarship/grant applications must be submitted via email to scholarships[at]aan.org by Friday, June 6, 2014.
2014 AAN Convention Diversity Scholarships
AAN will award scholarships of up to $500 to AAN-publication staffers and contributors to attend the Annual Convention in Nashville.
The scholarship will help underwrite costs (airfare and hotel) associated with attending the AAN convention in Nashville. 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.
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.
Grantees will write at least one blog post for publication on the AAN website either during the convention or within 30 days of attending. During the convention, grantees will be invited to meet with long-time AAN members/leaders.
Applications must be submitted via email to scholarships[at]aan.org by June 6, 2014.
2014 Next Generation Professional Fund
The Next Generation Professional Fund supports 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. The fund is available to any AAN member who demonstrates need and interest, however a priority will be given to editorial staffers who have either entered the association’s annual editorial contest this year or have won awards in the past, and sales staffers who support the association’s advertising program (AAN CAN).
The program will help underwrite costs (airfare and hotel) associated with attending the AAN convention in Nashville. 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.
Grantees will write at least one blog post for publication on the AAN website either during the convention or within 30 days of attending. During the convention, grantees will be invited to meet with long-time AAN members/leaders.
Applications must be submitted via email to scholarships[at]aan.org by June 6, 2014.
2014 Next Generation Student Fund
The Next Generation Student Fund supports the development of the next generation of journalists and journalism managers in alternative newsmedia.
The fund will be made available to no more than two graduate students who have shown interest in alternative media. This year, the program will help underwrite the costs (airfare and hotel) associated with attending the Annual Convention in Nashville. Grants of up to $1,000 as well as free convention admission will be offered to winning applicants.
Winning applicants will also file at least one blog post during the convention for publication on the AAN website.
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. The goal is to directly support the growth, education, and professional development of the next generation of journalists while connecting younger journalists with 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.
Grantees will be expected to write at least one blog post for publication on the AAN website either during the convention or within 30 days of attending. Prior to the convention, the grantee will also be assigned a long-time AAN member as a mentor.
Applications must be submitted via email to scholarships[at]aan.org by June 6, 2014.
Questions about the program or application process can be sent to Jason Zaragoza at jason[at]aan.org
