Call for Applications: Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship 2024 |up to $10,000

The Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship 2024 is now accepting applications. The Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship will provide financial assistance to a journalist, author, or writer from the United States or China for a project that would improve understanding between the two nations. The Melvin M.S. Goo Memorial Fund has generously endowed this East-West Center fellowship.

Melvin M.S. Goo was a veteran journalist who led a 34-year career in the United States and Asia prior to his passing in 2016. Born in Macau and graduating high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Mr. Goo worked for 18 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at The Honolulu Advertiser. In 1977 he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Mr. Goo continued his career in Asia, rising to Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and later Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News.

Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship Funding

• Up to US$10,000 financial support will be provided.

Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship Eligibility

• Applicants must be a national or permanent resident of either the United States or the People’s Republic of China.

The project:

• May be produced in either (or both) English or a Chinese language variety (applications must be submitted in English).
• Must be published or otherwise made publicly accessible in the United States and/or China; potential mediums include publication in print, print or online periodicals, etc.
• Must be an original work; completed or published projects will not be considered.
• Must be completed and delivered (i.e. published or distributed) by the end of 2024.

Selection Criteria

Proposed projects will be evaluated by a Selection Committee organized by the East-West Center based on several criteria, including:

• How the proposed project will promote better understanding between the people of the United States and China.
• A principal focus on underreported feature topics (such as cultural issues, lifestyles, education, youth, the arts, etc.).
• Any presence of elements in conflict with the Fellowship’s mission, including divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
• Whether the project’s intended audience is sufficiently broad and/or influential to contribute to the Fellowship’s mission.
• Confidence that the project’s sources are sufficiently diverse, reliable, and well-informed.
• Creativity and impact.

Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship Application

Applicants must submit each of the following documents to be considered:

• The online Goo Fellowship application form.
• Project Proposal (maximum 6 pages).
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
• At least three (3) representative examples of prior work (e.g. writing samples, digital portfolio, etc.).
• Two (2) professional references with letters of recommendation.

Deadline: October 1, 2023