Health Systems Transformation Platform
Health Systems Transformation Platform (HSTP) is a not–for–profit organisation based in New Delhi, India. Our mission is to enable Indian researchers and policy makers to conduct health policy and systems research and translate evidence to practice for Universal Health Coverage. More information on HSTP’s work is available here.
About the HSTP Health Journalism Fellowship
HSTP is introducing its Health Journalism Fellowship this year to encourage young journalists to critically examine public health issues and report in an informed and nuanced manner. The HSTP Health Journalism Fellowship will contribute to bridging the gap between the public health community and the media. The resultant coverage of health systems will enhance the public’s access to accurate information and grant health reporting its due importance in the newsrooms.
The objectives of the fellowship are to:
- offer a learning opportunity to journalists on healthcare and health systems issues.
- highlight and improve coverage of healthcare and health systems issues in the media.
- build a bridge between the public health community and the media.
Key features of the HSTP Health Journalism Fellowship:
- Professional experience through interacting with stakeholders (healthcare providers/ practitioners, managers, regulators, patients, etc.), while building their knowledge and network within the health systems.
- A workshop at the beginning of the fellowship will provide fellows guidance from subject matter experts, former bureaucrats, policymakers, and seasoned journalists and editors. Number of fellows: Five fellows will be selected.
Duration: The six–month fellowship period will run from September 2022 till March 2023. Fellows are
expected to undertake reporting activities during the term of the assignment, with the publication of
their work.
Eligibility criteria:
- To be considered for this fellowship, the applicants must be
- Currently working as journalists (full–time/part–time/or as a freelancer) with print or digital media organisations or wire services, with an established record of publication in English or any Indian vernacular language
- Possessing professional experience of a minimum of two years
- Graduate in any discipline
- Open to all Indian citizens less than 32 years of age
Fellowship grant:
The fellowship grant pays INR 100,000 per fellow for the total duration of the
programme. Project–related expenses such as travel, accommodation, food, and other logistics will be
paid on actuals, as per HSTP’s travel policy.
programme. Project–related expenses such as travel, accommodation, food, and other logistics will be
paid on actuals, as per HSTP’s travel policy.
Focus area: The HSTP Health Journalism Fellowship seeks to bring to the fore, the otherwise unheard voices of people about their struggle to access or provide healthcare. We will consider story ideas and topics that will throw light on systemic issues by delving into the stories and experiences of individuals – be users, healthcare providers, or administrators. Stories may be located in rural, tribal, hilly, urban or other poorly connected areas of the country, and highlight concerns related to the availability of healthcare, its cost, quality etc. Issues faced by groups such as women, adolescents, elderly, differently abled, people with mental health conditions, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minority communities may be covered. Challenges faced by healthcare providers especially those who are lower in the hierarchy, related to their working conditions, remuneration, safety etc. may be explored. We encourage fellows to take up topics that are often neglected in the mainstream media.
Deliverables for a fellow:
- Participate in a workshop at the beginning of the fellowship and finalise their story idea.
- In–depth on–the–ground reporting on challenges faced in delivering and accessing health care or any related issue that falls within the overall ambit of the Indian health system.
- Publish three stories — either as standalone articles or as a series—of roughly 2000 words each on selected topics which combine investigation, data journalism and on–the–ground reporting, by the end of the fellowship.
- Fellows will be responsible for publication in recognised print or digital media organisations including through wire services of their choice.
Fellows must acknowledge the support of HSTP when they publish their work.
3 Application and selection process:
- 1. Interested candidates should submit:
A complete application in the Google Form (access below).
The Mandatory information in the Google Form (1) an updated CV and cover letter, (2) two samples of writing such as published articles/essays/stories in print or digital platforms, newspapers, or magazines (3) one story idea for the fellowship.
2. Candidates who have been shortlisted will be contacted for a Zoom interview.
3. Successful candidates will be informed about their selection via e–mail.
4. Selected fellows are expected to submit a letter of support from an editor or publication house indicating their willingness to publish their stories, or a letter of support from their employer endorsing their participation in the fellowship.
5. Selected fellows are expected to submit two reference letters.
6. Selected fellows will be expected to come to the in–person workshop with three story ideas which will be finalised during the workshop.
In case of any query or any issue with filling or submitting the application form, please send an email to sonali.randhawa@hstp.org.in with the subject line “Application for HSTP Health Journalism Fellowship”.
- Please note:
- Health Systems Transformation Platform must receive completed applications by, 5th September 2022, Monday.
- Applications are only accepted through the Google Form.
- A complete application includes information in ALL the mandatory fields mentioned in the Google Form.
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
APPLY HERE