Lilly Endowment Inc., a private humanitarian institution, extends funding to the Religion Newswriters Foundation (RNF), a charitable branch of the Religion Newswriters Association (RNA). Full-time journalists in the U.S. and Canada can receive funding for their studies.
Scholarships amount to $5,000 each, covering religious studies for journalists at accredited institutions. Expenses include enrollment charges, textbooks, and tuition. The funds can be used for traditional or one to two-week intensive courses, as well as approved distance-learning programs within the accredited institutions.
A selection committee of awarded RNA members working as religious journalists chooses the recipients by identifying the most impressive candidates. RNA membership is non-mandatory for applying.
RNA is a major resource for educating journalists focused on increasing the quality of reporting on spirituality and faith. Founded in 1949, it now includes over 500 members. The RNF began operating in 1999 to additionally support RNA’s activities.
- Why does RNA offer scholarships?
By gaining a deeper understanding of religion, journalists become more proficient and precise in reporting. This helps formulate a more accurate perception of religion and its influence within the community and develop an individual spiritual perspective.
- What are the application requirements?
Applicants must be full-time print and broadcast journalists working at general circulation non-religious media outlets. Freelance journalists, whose materials and income are mostly linked to religious news in non-religious media are also eligible. RNA or RNF employees, selection committee members, and their family members are ineligible.
Only U.S. and Canadian journalists are considered. However, we’re monitoring foreign journalists’ requests and reviewing the approach.
You can apply while working full-time and finishing a degree if you work 30 hours weekly for the secular media.
To secure a scholarship, enrollment has to occur within three months after being notified of acceptance. Scholarship checks won’t be issued until the official class registration and signed stipend documents are received. After the submission of the necessary documents, you’ll receive an email notification and a request to sign an agreement.
- Who can be a scholarship sponsor?
Thousands of scholarship sponsors throughout industries offer funding. All Spins Win Casino also provides financial assistance for your education. By endorsing students otherwise unable to study, All Spins Win Casino helps applicants reach their full potential. This translates into skills acquisition and higher confidence, benefiting businesses and the public at large.
- How does the funding occur?
In the first year, $70,000 in scholarships is awarded; for individual scholarships, the number is up to $5,000. Candidates may be granted up to four scholarships over two years.
This applies to one class per application period.
If part of the official course syllabus and an imperative course element, domestic and foreign travel is funded. Your status as a reporter must remain full-time. If traveling includes self-study, a mission trip, and/or is outside of the syllabus studying, it’s not covered. Individual travel is covered at your expense.
- What are the eligibility requirements?
Courses excluded from the accredited establishments’ syllabi and curricula offered by separate journalism training organizations are non-eligible.
You can apply as a freelance journalist if:
- More than half of your income comes from work published in the common non-spiritual media outlets;
- Over 30 hours are devoted to independent journalism weekly;
- Your independent reporting income/losses are indicated in federal tax returns.
Religion journalists are ineligible since scholarships were designed to provide journalists with a better view on religion, helping them share it with the community through non-religious media. There are other programs aimed at cooperation with experienced religion reporters. They could benefit from participating, but the program isn’t specifically aimed at journalists with a larger religious reporting background.
Canadian journalists are eligible if they meet all the requirements. Applicants can study at Canadian or American accredited establishments or choose distance learning.
- Available courses & learning provisions
Classes from both undergraduate and graduate levels are considered. We recommend applying no earlier than four months before the course starts.
The course selection must correspond with our application process and remain within the range of $5,000. Two or four consecutive classes can be taken quarterly, although we recommend completing one course before applying to another.
Aramaic or Hebrew language courses are considered if offered through the Religion Studies Department. French, Spanish or German languages are unavailable.
If using vacation time to travel for a two-week course, your scholarship status is saved provided that the $5,000 stipend covers your expenses. Independent Study is considered if accompanied by written documentation and syllabi and approved by the professor and the dean of the academic department before the application process. Domestic or foreign travel is not applicable to Independent Study.
Having taken a class, candidates must provide brief statements describing the experience, benefits and challenges, grades, and syllabi within four weeks after obtaining grades. Participants cannot receive additional funding unless the report is submitted.
In case you need to drop a class prior to beginning, notify the RNF office immediately. Within 30 days, you must return any unspent funds, including refunds issued by the institution and an explanation of your choice. You may be disallowed to obtain future RNF funding.
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