AAN Announces Diversity Scholarships, Student and Professional Funds

march 30, 2012  04:00 pm
AAN Announces Diversity Scholarships, Student and Professional Funds
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AAN is launching three scholarship funds to support the development of the next generation of journalists and journalism managers in alternative newsmedia.
AAN Convention Diversity Scholarships

The Association of Alternative Newsmedia will award up to 20 scholarships of up to $500 to AAN-publication staffers and contributors to attend the Annual Conference.

The scholarship would 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. A resumé.
2. 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.

Applications must be submitted to via email by April 30, 2012.
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 national AAN convention in Detroit June 7 to 9. (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 PDFs of published work with some explanation.
3. At least 1 recommendation of an educator of mentor.
4. No more than 300-word description of motivation for attending the conference.

During the national 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 April 30, 2012.
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 journalists and journalism managers professionally engaged in alternative newsmedia.

The fund will be made available to no more than ten 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 Detroit June 7 to 9, 2012. (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 journalists with mentors.

No more than half the awards will be given to those considered in the annual contest's large paper division. Smaller papers and online publications will be awarded the rest. Publishers will be encouraged to support winners' attendance in any way possible.

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 copies of nominated or winning material.
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 April 30, 2012.