Russia-U.S. Young Media Professionals Exchange Program

After visiting the Center for Public Integrity’s International Consortium of Investigative Journalists to learn about and discuss press freedom issues, Russian reporters in ICFJ's U.S.-Russia exchange program pause to take a photo in front of the White House.

The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) invites young, English-speaking journalists from Russia to take part in the “Russia-U.S. Young Media Professionals Program.” Five journalists, who will be selected in competition, will come to the United States for a program from Monday, August 3, to Friday, August 21, 2015. Applicants must speak English.

The program is supported with a grant to ICFJ from the U.S. Embassy Moscow, Public Affairs Section. In February 2015, ICFJ brought 11 journalists to the United States with support from this grant.

The February program was the continuation of an earlier effort that ICFJ successfully completed in 2014 in cooperation with the Union of Journalists of Moscow. During that two-year program, 24 young Russian journalists and 24 young American journalists took part in an exchange program in each other’s countries. The program arose from the work of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission’s working group on media. It was supported with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The August program will build on the successes of the earlier rounds of the exchange whose goals were to allow Russian and American journalists to build professional relationships and friendships with one another and mutual understanding while dispelling negative stereotypes between their countries. The journalists accomplished these goals while learning firsthand about each country’s media system, including the ways that digital media are changing the ways that journalists work.

Because the program will include individual two-week assignments at U.S. media organizations, the Russian journalists must speak English.

Selection will be based on the journalists’ professional qualifications, relevant experience, leadership potential and commitment to enhancing mutual understanding between the people of their countries. For more information, please contact ICFJ’s Bob Tinsley at btinsley@icfj.org or Alana Morro at amorro@icfj.org.

The deadline to apply is Sunday, June 21, 2015 (U.S. Eastern Time).

To apply, click here.

Program Schedule:

Arrival in the United States: Monday, August 3, 2015
Orientation in Washington: August 4-6
Depart for Internships at U.S. Media: Thursday, August 6
Internships at U.S. Media: August 6-19
Program Wrap-up and Evaluation in Washington: February 19-21
Return to Russia: Friday, August 21, 2015
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The International Center for Journalists advances quality journalism worldwide. Our hands-on programs combine the best professional practices with new technologies. We believe that responsible journalism empowers citizens and holds governments accountable. In its 30 years, ICFJ has worked with more than 87,000 professional and citizen journalists and media managers from 180 countries. ICFJ works with strong local partners and a network of dedicated alumni. For more information, visit www.icfj.org.