The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), ONE, and the Elliott family are offering The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, to honour an up-and-coming journalist in Africa who strives to strengthen people’s voices and improve their well-being in 2020.

The Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, a collaboration between the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), the ONE Campaign, and the Elliott family, honours an up-and-coming journalist in Africa who strives to strengthen people’s voices and illuminate the transformational change taking place on the continent. We are seeking a wide variety of topics, not limited to health and social issues, to demonstrate the creative approaches to pressing issues in Africa.

The Award was established in honour of Michael Elliott, an outstanding editor, philanthropist, and former ICFJ director, whose life was a testament to the power of storytelling to bear witness to and improve the human condition. Elliott served as a distinguished editor at The Economist, Newsweek and Time before becoming CEO of ONE. In 2016, he had spoken of his dream to establish an award that would bring together his belief in great journalism with his commitment to progress in Africa.

Worth of Award

• In a special study tour organized by ICFJ, the winner spends time in U.S. newsrooms to learn new skills and share knowledge.
• Starting in 2020, the winner will also complete a two-week internship at the headquarters of The Economist in London.
• The winner also receives a US$5,000 cash prize to pursue an in-depth reporting project.

Eligibility

• The contest is open to English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast and online news media. Applicants must have no more than 10 years of journalism experience.
• Applicants must submit one published story that reflects top-notch storytelling about an important issue. The submission can be a feature story; an in-depth, investigative or explanatory piece; or a multimedia report or documentary.
• A copy of the published story or broadcast clip must be submitted in English. Works in other languages must include English translations.

How to Apply

The application is online via their website. Please click on the link below.

Deadline: Apply by Sunday, December 15, 2019.

Click here for more details and to apply