Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent
The World Congress of Science and Factual Producers is pleased to announce its partnership with the Wellcome Trust in presenting the second year of the Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent. The Wellcome Trust is the most diverse biomedical research charity in the world, with over £600 million in spending every year both in the UK and internationally to support and promote research to improve the health of humans and animals.
This annual program will offer eight promising science journalists, science broadcast producers, or scientists looking to break into the broadcast industry a unique opportunity to participate in the premiere event of its kind, with the additional benefits of mentoring and networking with the top executives and creative minds in the industry.
2009 Participants
Congratulations to the following individuals, each of whom will take part in this year’s mentoring program at the Congress in Melbourne:
Australia
- Alex Howes
- Florienne Loder
- Cobi Smith
- Holly Trueman
UK
- Adil Akram
- Davina Bristow
- Sarah Castor-Perry
- Melanie J. Windridge
Objective of the Program
Through the creation of the exclusive Wellcome Trust Mentoring Program for Emerging Talent; emerging journalists, producers or scientists entering the broadcast industry will be offered a full scholarship program including travel, accommodation and unprecedented professional development and mentorship opportunities at the World’s leading industry event for science-focused producers and broadcasters. The fund will be awarded annually to four UK based applicants and four applicants from the country in which the Congress is being held, this year Melbourne.
Description of the Award
Eight recipients will be awarded with:
- Full registration for the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers
- Travel and accommodation bursary covering all costs to attend Congress
- Mentor pairing with a senior producer or broadcaster. (Mentors will be culled from the WCSFP Board of Directors, Steering Committee and Session Producers)
- Introduction of the Scholarship Winners at the Opening Plenary of Congress
- Opening Day, private cocktail reception for the Scholarship winners, their mentors, Board of Directors, Steering Committee, Wellcome Trust delegates and other VIP guests at Congress (host broadcasters, keynote speakers etc.)
- Additional one-on-one meetings organized between the mentee’s and registered commissioning editors
2009 Eligibility and Guidelines
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be based either in the UK or Australia; four candidates will be selected from each region
- Be an emerging journalist, producer or scientist entering the broadcast industry. Established professionals in these sectors are not eligible for the bursary
To apply for the program, candidates must send an email with the following documents to mfong@hotdocs.ca no later than October 30, 2009:
- CV and short bio
- One page application statement detailing the applicant’s field of interest and involvement in the broadcast industry. The applicant should answer the following questions:
- Are you enrolled or have you completed an academic degree-based program related to science, broadcasting, journalism, or another related field?
- How long have you been working as a science-focused journalist, broadcaster or producer?
- Are you a student, self-employed, or fully employed?
- Please define your future goals regarding science communication? (1 paragraph max)
- Please write about any specific areas of scientific interests you have, and how it can relate to science broadcasting and science journalism. (1 paragraph max)
Applications deemed complete and eligible will be submitted to a Selection Committee made up of executives from the Wellcome Trust and one member of the WCSFP Board of Directors.
