The John Alexander Project

above the fray

Above the Fray, a fellowship in conjunction with NPR, is the keynote program of the John Alexander Project.

The Above the Fray fellowship is designed to give a promising journalist the opportunity to cover important but under-reported stories from a location abroad. One fellow will be selected each year based on a winning proposal to report from a region lacking significant mainstream media attention. The selected individual will spend three months filing on-air and online stories for NPR.

Above the Fray supports curious, truth-seeking, spirited individuals who wish to cover under-reported regions, but who do not have the financial means or professional support to pursue these stories. The fellowship is not about finding the most experienced candidate; it is about discovering the next generation of international journalists. The fellowship strives to discover journalists who are at pivotal moments in their careers: those who are armed with the skills to independently tell stories and who possess the ability to take audiences off the beaten path.

Applicants should have at least three but no more than five years' professional experience. Above all, the applicant must express sincere interest in innovative foreign reporting, a curiosity about global cultures and a demonstrated record of journalistic potential.

Please be sure to sign up for our mailing list to stay up-to-date. Fellowship deadlines and details here.

news

5/1/2012
2012 Above the Fray fellowship application released.
Apply now!

4/27/2012
Nina Porzucki's second piece airs on NPR "Morning Edition."
Listen here.

4/26/2012
Nina Porzucki's first piece in a two-part series airs on NPR "Morning Edition."
Listen here.

9/23/2011
Nina Porzucki is selected as the 2011 Above the Fray fellow. Read the release.

7/1/2011
Pencils down! 2011 application cycle is now closed.

6/9/2011
Above the Fray eligibility has expanded: non-US citizens may now apply.

6/8/2011
We're on Twitter!
@JAPAboveTheFray

5/1/2011
2011 Above the Fray fellowship application released.

2/17/2011
Brian Reed's second piece airs on NPR "Morning Edition."
Listen here.

2/16/2011
Brian Reed's first piece in a two-part series airs on NPR "Morning Edition."
Listen here.

2/14/2011
The JA Project featured on TakePart.com.
Read the article.

11/1/2010
Brian Reed lands in Kiribati.
Follow his dispatches.

9/15/2010
Brian Reed is selected as first Above the Fray fellow.
Read the release.

7/1/2010
Pencils down! Cycle one applications due.

4/5/2010
Above the Fray
application released.

3/14/2010
NPR signs on as official media partner.
Read the release.

12/31/2009
$20,000 anonymous matching funds contribution.

3/15/2009
Recipient of Edward R. Murrow grant, courtesy of Ted Koppel.