Saw the Atkinson Foundation's ad in a recent Toronto Star edition and thought that the SCers who
are involved in journalism need to be aware of the upcoming application deadline for the 2016-2017 fellowship:

Investing in policy discourse and program excellence

In collaboration with Atkinson family and friends, the Foundation makes two annual awards. The Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy provides a seasoned Canadian journalist with the financial means to pursue a year-long investigation into a current policy issue. This award is a collaborative project of the Atkinson Foundation, the Honderich Family and Toronto Star. The Ruth Atkinson Hindmarsh Award celebrates and supports one of Ontario’s leading child and youth organizations with a gift of $50,000. The Atkinson Foundation and the Hindmarsh Family jointly sponsor this award.
Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy

Since 1988, we’ve been awarding the Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy to a leading Canadian journalist. Fellows are supported for a period of one year – from September 1 to August 31 – to investigate a current policy issue and write a series of articles for publication in the Toronto Star. During this period, the Fellow works exclusively on his or her project and receives a stipend of $75,000 and up to $25,000 for research expenses.
The Atkinson Foundation, the Honderich Family and Toronto Star are joint sponsors of this award.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
Eligibility
Atkinson Fellows in Public Policy are:

  • Canadian citizens or landed immigrants
  • Full-time practicing print, broadcast or online journalists
  • Seasoned professionals who have achieved distinction in reporting on public policy issues.

How to Apply
Please provide your curriculum vitae and summarize your story and its importance to Canadian society in a three-page letter of intent. In your letter, you should demonstrate considerable familiarity with your chosen topic. You should also articulate the specific policy questions you want to pursue. Letters may be submitted in either English or French.
The Selection Committee is open to research ideas on a wide range of topics. Preference will be given to issues that are at the forefront of public policy debate and have significant implications for Canadian society. The Fellowship will not be awarded to projects in history, anthropology, literature or folklore.
You are encouraged to reflect on the Foundation’s mission: to promote social and economic justice. The Selection Committee uses it as the basis for its deliberations.
All submissions will be reviewed. Finalists will be invited to present full proposals for which they will receive a honourarium.
Please submit your letters of intent via email to [email protected] no later than 5 PM (EST) on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
See the names of past fellows on this link: http://atkinsonfoundation.ca/grants/atkinson-awards/