Press Releases

Journalist to Journalist HIV/AIDS Training, 15-18 July 2009
and The 5th IAS Conference, 19-22 July 2009

March 31, 2009

The Journalist to Journalist Project of the National Press Foundation will conduct a four-day training program on HIV/AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa prior to IAS 2009, the 5th IAS Conference on Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. This biennial conference brings together HIV scientists, policy-makers and global stakeholders in HIV/AIDS.  Fellowships that include air travel, lodging, per diem, and most meals are open to journalists who have covered HIV/AIDS or health for five or more years.  The deadline for applications is 20 April 2009.

Fifty fellowships will be awarded to qualified print, broadcast, and online journalists.  Applications are encouraged from reporters with experience covering the social, economic and larger societal impact of HIV/AIDS, as well as the science and medicine. Applicants must have a clear ability to speak and read English. The fellowships include air travel to and from Cape Town, lodging, a per diem, and most meals for the duration of the training, and lodging and per diem during the conference. To apply, please submit:

• Application form
• Cover letter explaining why you should attend, with emphasis on AIDS issues particular to your geographic location
• Brief biography (for sharing with other fellows if you are selected)
• Letter of support from a supervisor (if you are an independent journalist you may include a letter from a previous supervisor)
• Two samples of journalistic work (clippings, CD, DVD, VHS, audio tape, digital sound file). If you're an editor, send samples of work you have edited.

More information about the program and application forms can be downloaded from the website: http://www.nationalpress.org/programs3516/programs_show.htm?doc_id=851300.

Selected journalists will be notified by May 5.  Each fellow will receive a letter of invitation to attend but will be responsible for making the necessary visa arrangements.  This training opportunity is organized by the Journalist to Journalist Project of the National Press Foundation, a U.S.-based, non-profit independent journalism education organization, in collaboration with the IAS 2009.  Funding is provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and others.