Undergraduate Journalism

Eric Lund Global Reporting and Research Grant

This fund was created to provide opportunities for students to pursue research and reporting experiences abroad, particularly in underreported parts of the world. Eric Lund lives in Evanston, where he once was editor of the Evanston Review. He earned his bachelor's degree at Medill in 1949 and was a long-time adjunct at the school.

 

Past Lund Recipients: Undergraduate, Graduate 

Undergraduate Testimonials:
Hunter Atkins      - "Lesbian Soccer in South Africa: More than Just a Game"
Alyssa Eisenstein - "Breaking the Chains" 
Jared T. Miller      - "South Africa's Wild Dogs"
Noreen Nasir       - "With Education and Equality for All: Exploring the Education System in 
                             Hyderabad's Slums amidst India's Economic Upturn"
Andrea Hart        - "What Caused the Split and Will it Last? Analyzing the Recent Upset in 
                             ANC Hegemony"
Liz Granger         - "The Impact of Donated Materials on Waste Removal Systems in Uganda: 
                             Gift or Burden"
Maggie Li            - "New Media Empowerment in Post-Apartheid South Africa"
Heidi Zhou          - "Women of Paradise: The Story of Galapagos' Sex Workers"
Juliana Tafur       - "Rightful Yet Rightless: Sudanese Refugees in Cairo, Egypt" 

Graduate Testimonials:
Erika Brekke            - APTN Brussels
Daniela Grossman    - Business Today, New Delhi
Kathryn Hollencamp - K24-TV, Nairobi
Renita Young           - K24-TV, Nairobi 

Students who wish to apply for the 2012-13 Eric Lund Global Reporting & Research grants must submit applications by Friday, Dec. 14.

The grants provide an opportunity to travel abroad, particularly in underreported areas of the world, to research and produce projects on compelling, newsworthy topics that interest you.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled at NU. Seniors who wish to apply must complete their project before graduation.

Proposals must include the following:

  • Description of the project and why it’s noteworthy and relevant
  • Proposed sources and pre-departure research
  • What experience or expertise, if any, you have with the topic (including classes, internships, extra-curriculars, minors, second majors or research)
  • Faculty adviser who has agreed to advise (you must choose at least one Medill faculty member but you may also choose another NU faculty member with experience in your subject matter)
  • Proposed timeline and financial budget for your travel and research plans
  • Final product you envision and where you’d like to publish/air your final piece
  • Faculty reference (written recommendation not required)
  • Cameras or equipment you may seek to check out from Medill (note that this is subject to availability)
  • Submit a total of four sets, one for each review committee member

Timeline for proposals:

  • Monday, Dec. 14 – applications due by 5 p.m. to Michele Bitoun’s assistant, Jenna Braunstein, in Fisk 204. Don’t forget to include four sets of your application.
  • Friday, Jan. 18 – notification of approval or rejection

Proposals may not include travel to countries or geographic areas included on the U.S. State Department’s Travel Warnings list, posted at  http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html. Exceptions can be made only by going through the NU petition process, explained at http://www.northwestern.edu/studyabroad/resources/online-guide/health-and-safety/safety/university-undergraduate-international-travel-policy-and-procedures.html. Please discuss with Michele Bitoun if you wish to seek an exception.

Criteria for Evaluating Proposals


Budget Criteria

Typical expenses should not exceed the following:

$2,000 for airfare

$60.00 per day for room and board, not to exceed 30 days

$500 for inter-city travel

$150 for reporting equipment expenses, including newspapers, phones and tapes. 

View sample proposals: Proposal 1 and Proposal 2.