The deadline for 2014 applications has passed. Please check back in late fall 2014 for information about the 2015 Smith/Patterson Fellowship.

Description

The Smith/Patterson Fellowship is designed for early health/science journalists and communicators. The fellowship helps a currently-enrolled or just graduated Master’s student gain hands-on experience in communicating science, health, and technology through hand-on experience with real-world projects. The fellowship program challenges motivated students to organize, analyze, and disseminate technical information using a variety of tools and channels to inform the public about current health innovations, discoveries and social challenges, as well as those on the horizon.

The fellow will work staff and faculty in the Health Communication Research Center (HCRC), which is part of the Missouri School of Journalism.

For more information about the Fellowship, visit: http://hcrc.missouri.edu/fellowship. To learn about previous Fellows, visit: http://hcrc.missouri.edu/smithpatterson-fellows.

Eligibility

Applicants for this award must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Be a Master’s student attending a college or University in the United States. Applicants do not have to be registered at the University of Missouri. Applicants may still apply if they are graduating in May 2014.
• Be enrolled in a journalism, health communication, or public health program, or a similar subject area.
• Have experience in public health, journalism, science reporting, or multimedia work.
• Have a strong interest in health or science.

Once chosen for the Fellowship, a person cannot apply for it again. Those not selected may reapply.

Duration

The fellowship lasts during summer (June–August)

Stipend

One selected Master’s student will receive a modest stipend to help cover rent and other living expenses while based in Columbia, Missouri. The stipend for 2014 is $3,000. Find out more about Columbia.

Detail of work

The fellow will be expected to work full-time (40 hours/week) during the scheduled summer term. The fellow will work on various aspects of health- and science-related projects and will be trained in data research and health reporting, as well as the audiences, policies, and topics related to our health communication projects. The fellow will work with HCRC faculty and staff on creating content, and leave Columbia with a portfolio that will include items such as a multimedia project, campaign executions, or topline reports.

Selection Criteria

Awardees are selected based on their level of interest in health/science, depth of journalism/health/science curriculum and background, and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Public relations/strategic communication
• Journalism
• Convergence
• Public health
• Epidemiology
• Biology

Review Process

Selection of recipients of the Fellowship award shall be made by a committee selected by the Dean of the School of Journalism, or by persons authorized to act on behalf of the Dean, consisting of appropriate School of Journalism faculty members and staff, in consultation with at least one member of the Russell G. Smith family. Awards shall be made in accordance with established rules and regulations within the University of Missouri-Columbia Office of Student Financial Aid. The Fellowship is not a need-based award. Finalists should also expect to participate in a short interview (in person or by phone or Skype).

Application Process

The application packet is to include:

• Letter of interest, explaining the merits of your application (Must be fewer than 800 words.)
• Résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
• Supplemental Materials: relevant clips/projects or portfolio examples that relate to the Fellowship position

Application materials must be submitted electronically. Links to video clips or other relevant information is acceptable. There is no formal application form to apply.

Deadline to apply for the fellowship is: Friday, February 14, 2014.

Please direct questions to Jon Stemmle at hcrc@missouri.edu.