Want to try freelancing abroad, but not sure how to start? Did you move to a new country and having trouble navigating roadblocks while reporting? Look no further, for The IIJ is holding a webinar on how to freelance internationally May 19.

Whether you’re an American journalist pondering a new journey, or an international journalist wanting to find the right U.S. publication to pitch to, we’ve got something for you. This webinar will help you carve out a freelancing career in a new country, cover the logistics of freelancing abroad, give tips on pitching and reporting for U.S. publications, and how to get in on fellowships, residencies, and book deals from afar.

Join us May 19 from 11-12:15 p.m. ET.

Click here to register.

Panelists include:

Damaso Reyes, Investigative Editor at NY Amsterdam News: Reyes has been a journalist and contributor to the Amsterdam News since 1996. He has been published by: The Associated Press, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the San Francisco Chronicle, New York Magazine, Der Spiegel, KSFR radio, the Miami Herald, Forbes.com and The Irish Times. Previous assignments and projects have taken him to countries including Rwanda, Iraq, Indonesia, Tanzania and throughout the United States and Europe. He is a Fulbright specialist and is the recipient of several awards and grants including Arthur F. Burns and Holbrooke Fellowships from the International Center for Journalists; a Knight-Luce Fellowship from the USC Annenberg School of Journalism; an Immigration Reporting Fellowship from the French American Foundation and grants from the Solutions Journalism Network and the Fund for Investigative Journalism.

Josh Rivera, Travel Editor at USA Today: Rivera is the consumer Travel Editor for USA TODAY. He was previously the Audience and Community Editor at The Wall Street Journal and Opinion Editor at USA TODAY. Rivera has a bachelor’s degree in public communications from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s in entertainment business from Full Sail University. He grew up in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

Imani Bashir, freelance travel writer: Bashir has cultivated a body of editorial work centered around the intersectionality of being Black, Muslim, a woman, and an expat. Her purpose is to continuously push for holistic diversity and inclusion that expands beyond trend and cultivates a theme of cultural conversations. She has been featured in publications worldwide, including The New York Times, Glamour, Cosmo, Business Insider, The Washington Post, Metro UK, airline magazines, and many others.

Itika Sharma Punit, Deputy Editor at Rest of World: Punit is a Deputy Editor for Rest of World. She previously oversaw the publication's South Asia coverage.

Moderated by freelance journalist Michelle No: No is a journalist and copywriter living in Berlin. She formerly worked as a staff writer for BuzzFeed and Thrillist, and has freelanced for publications including the New York Times, NBC, Apartment Therapy, Serious Eats, and many more.

Learn How to Negotiate for Higher Pay and More at IIJ-AAJA July 20 Workshop!

Are you craving a more sustainable freelance journalism career? Do you want to learn how to recruit anchor clients? Do you need to start negotiating for higher pay and benefits, but don’t know what to ask for?

Join the Institute for Independent Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association Freelance Affinity Group for a one-day Freelance Business Workshop: Your Path to Financial and Emotional Sustainability on Thursday July 20, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET at the Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives in Washington D.C.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or an early-career journalist, everyone has something to learn from this workshop, as it’ll train freelancers to pursue both financially and emotionally sustainability. Topics include mental health strategies, building a freelance portfolio, tracking income, negotiating, creating a brand and niche, and more!

But the fun doesn’t have stop there! This event takes place alongside the AAJA’s annual convention at the Capital Hilton, so get ready for pre- and post-parties!

For more information and to register, click here.

Fellowships and Other Opportunities

ASJA Annual Virtual Conference

Our friends at the American Society of Journalists and Authors have provided a 10% discount for the 2023 virtual conference, held June 13-15, online. Independent journalists will learn, hear from experts, and network. Use the code FRIENDSOFASJA at check out to receive a 10% discount.

If you’re a freelancer and/or student from a historically underrepresented background, apply for a scholarship!

The deadline to apply is May 12, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

More info about the conference, including a schedule, is on their site. Bonus: IIJ leaders will be speaking on a June 15 panel! You can direct scholarship questions to Kristine Hansen.

For more information and to register, visit their site.

The early bird rate is through May 15, 2023.

MuckRock’s Whitmore FOIA Fellowship

If you’re intrigued by transparency reporting and eager to dive into open-records requests, MuckRock is looking for a FOIA Fellow who will help cover developments in public records, respond to tricky questions while helping its newsrooms around the country, and learn the ins and outs of state and federal laws.

This six-month-long fellowship is $4,000/month and full-time.

For more information and to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is May 15, 2023.

Women Photograph Project Grant

If you’re a woman, trans, and/or nonbinary photographer, Women Photograph is giving away five $5,000 grants to support either new or in-progress photography projects from visual journalists working in documentary. Funding may be used to support any of the photographer’s production work, including creative fees and reporting. Applicants are encouraged to submit a story.

For more information and to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is May 19, 2023.

Bay Nature Journalism Editorial Fellowship

If you’re interested in gaining reporting experience on climate change, regional environmental issues, and ecology in the Bay Area, check out the Bay Nature’s Editorial Fellowship! The fellow will write and report, fact-check, assist in breaking news coverage, and delve into the world of science and environmental journalism.

This is a one-year position that pays $50,000/year with health benefits.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is May 22, 2023.

NPR and the John Alexander Project’s Above the Fray Fellowship

If you’re a U.S.-based early-career journalist interested in international reporting, check out the Above the Fray fellowship! The fellow is tasked to produce under-reported, yet character-driven stories from a region that lacks mainstream media coverage. Past regions include Uganda, Kiribati, and Papu a New Guinea, to name a few.

For more information or to apply, visit their site.

The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Interesting Reads

• Read Micah Herskind’s “A Primer on Cop City” for Scalawag. In it, he breaks down the crisis, the history of policing in Atlanta, and more.

• Read Angela Fu’s “This Alabama newsroom won two Pulitzers — tying with the AP, New York Times and other national papers” for Poynter. In it, she discusses how AL.com, Alabama’s largest news site took home the Local Reporting and Commentary categories. Amid layoffs and closing newsrooms, it’s important to remember the strength in hyperlocal and local reporting and journalism.

• We're always eager to connect with freelance journalists of color who'd like to be involved in the work of the IIJ or contribute to future programs. Email [email protected] to volunteer — or if you have an idea for a partner, funder or topic we should explore.

Calendar

• June 15 IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Erika Hayasaki will speak on our responsibilities as journalists and the power we wield at ASJA on Thursday June 15, at 4 p.m. ET.

• July 12-15 in Miami at the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Valeria Fernández will present a session on financially and emotionally sustainable freelancing, along with conference speaker and expert negotiator Mónica Ortiz Uribe.

• July 19-22 in Washington D.C. at the Asian American Journalists Association convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Jamila Bey will present an all-day workshop on the business of freelancing, including a panel discussion with assigning editors, on Thursday, July 20. Registration is free with your AAJA convention badge or $49 to $99 for others, depending on when you register. We'll be partnering with the AAJA freelance affinity group on a convention session and happy hour, too!

• Aug. 2-6 in Birmingham, Ala., IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Jamila Bey hope to speak at the National Association of Black Journalists' convention.

• Aug. 23-26 in Philadelphia at the Online News Association, IIJ founder Katherine Reynolds Lewis will attend as part of the ONA Women's Leadership Accelerator.

• Sep. 7-10 in Philadelphia at NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists convention, IIJ leaders Katherine Reynolds Lewis and Jamila Bey will present an all-day workshop on the business of freelancing, including a panel discussion with assigning editors.