Call for Applications: Indo-Pacific Media Fellows Program

The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening Canada’s relations with Asia. We are currently seeking applications from journalists (four) based in the Indo-Pacific to visit Canada to research and prepare stories for media audiences in their home economies. 

An inbound version of APF Canada’s Media Fellowship program for Canadian journalists, this program is designed to help Asia-based journalists become better informed about Canada in order to write or broadcast insightfully on the Canada-Asia relationship to audiences in their home jurisdictions.

About the Program:

The Indo-Pacific Media Fellows program, with support from the Government of Canada, is part of APF Canada’s new programs in the Indo-Pacific region. Asia-based journalists selected under this program will produce and publish three or more written or broadcast pieces on topics related to these themes: maritime security, emerging technology (AI, innovation, and emerging and clean tech), economic and energy security (supply chain management, critical minerals, and energy transitions), or another area demonstrably relevant to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy. 

Selected journalists will receive up to $C10,000 each to visit Canada under this Indo-Pacific Media Fellows program.

Duration and Commitment:

Indo-Pacific Media Fellows will spend up to three weeks in Canada researching and preparing their stories and must provide confirmation from an editor, publisher, or producer that their stories will be published or broadcast upon their return to their home jurisdiction.

Eligibility:

This call for applications is open to journalists from any Indo-Pacific jurisdiction, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, North Asia, or Northeast Asia.  

Qualifications:

  • Employed by an Asia-based magazine, newspaper, news service, business publication, radio, television station, new media or multimedia outlet as a reporter, feature writer, columnist, or as a freelancer.
  • At least two years’ experience as a journalist with an established history of publication in Asia-based news media.
  • The ability to acquire the appropriate visas to enter Canada for the duration of their visit. (APF Canada will provide a support letter to successful applicants.)
     

Deliverables: 

  • A minimum of three stories, with at least one intended for digital media published within three months (90 days) of their return to their home jurisdiction.
  • Implementation of a social media strategy (including, but not limited to X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook) promoting their stories to a wider audience.
  • One 60-second video, podcast, or blog post aggregating their work upon completion of the fellowship for APF Canada’s website.
  • Participation in one event organized by APF Canada. 
     

Application Requirements:

Applicants must submit:

  • A 500-750-word (max.) proposal; it should include a detailed outline of concrete steps for the assignment, including a plan of execution and dissemination highlighting where the resulting articles/programs will be published or broadcast.
  • A budget of up to C$10,000, including travel, accommodation, and in-country expenses.
  • A current CV.
  • Two examples of written or broadcast work; where possible, please provide links to the examples of previous work or copies as a single PDF or as digital media files.
  • A letter from a prospective editor/producer stating a willingness, in principle, to run stories resulting from this trip, subject to normal editorial judgment.

Selection:

Successful applicants will be selected by a jury formed by APF Canada. The key criteria are: significance of the topic, project feasibility, potential impact, and personal qualifications. The judges’ decision will be final.

Applications and questions may be emailed to: michael.roberts@asiapacific.ca or mailed to:

Communications Director
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
680-1066 West Hastings St.
Vancouver, B.C. V6E 3X2

Applications are accepted in English and French. The deadline for applications is April 30, 2025.