APPLY: Reporting Contest on Early Childhood Development

Deadline: December 1, 2016 

Journalists in Asia, Africa and Latin America have a chance to win a prestigious international study tour as part of a contest to recognize the best stories on early childhood development. 

International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) will recognize in-depth, investigative or innovative reporting that has helped raise awareness on issues such as early nutrition, early child care, early education and their impact on a child’s future well-being and contributions to society. 

Experts on early childhood development say that proper nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life has lasting impacts on his or her future. ICFJ are looking for compelling stories that explore topics such as this and others related to the health and development of children, with a special focus on children under 5 or on early interventions that affected a child's later development. 

Winners will be chosen in three categories: best report, best visual storytelling and best data-driven story. Each winner will receive a cash prize and a week-long trip to the United States to meet with global health experts and digital media pioneers. Contest topics may include: 

» Causes and solutions for malnutrition in children under 5 

» The link between under-5 nutrition and learning ability 

» Quality of health care and/or child care for young children 

» The impact of child poverty and efforts to alleviate it 

» Reproductive health and its impact on child development 

» Latest neuroscience on early child development 

» Power of play and cognitive development » Importance of investing in the next generation 

Eligibility: 

The contest is open to journalists from Asia, Africa and Latin America. Entries must have been published or aired between June 1, 2016, and December 1, 2016, a nd may include feature articles; in-depth, investigative or explanatory stories; multimedia reports or documentaries. The contest is open to print, broadcast and online journalists employed by a media outlet as well as affiliated freelance journalists. Submitted work must have appeared in a media outlet based in one of the regions. 

Stories must be submitted in English. Works in any other languages must include an English translation.  

Entries will be judged by an international panel of media and child development experts. Winners will be announced January 5, 2017. 

Click HERE to Apply. 

For information on webinars and resources, click HERE. For more information on the contest, contact Lanaea Featherstone or Jerri Eddings at childhealth@icfj.org