The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in collaboration with ONE and the Elliott family seek entries for the 2019 Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling. In its third year, this prestigious award will honor an up-and-coming journalist in Africa who tells important stories through quality reporting.

Mike served as a distinguished editor at The Economist, Newsweek and Time before becoming CEO of ONE. Last year, he had spoken of his dream to establish an award that would bring together his belief in great journalism with his commitment to progress in Africa.

This award, given in Mike’s name, will provide the winner a $5,000 cash prize to pursue an in-depth reporting project. In a special study tour organized by ICFJ, the winner will spend time in U.S. newsrooms to learn new skills and share knowledge. The winner will also complete a two-week internship at The Economist in London, United Kingdom. In order to take full advantage of the study tour and the internship, applicants must speak English, even if they work in another language.

Past award-winners included Mercy Juma from Kenya and Abubakar Ibrahim from Nigeria. Juma's award-winning story, “Teen Mums of Kwale,” tells of primary school girls whose families make the controversial choice to let them use contraceptives even though the practice is taboo in the Muslim communities of Kenya’s Kwale County. Ibrahim received the award for his story "All That Was Familiar," which chronicles the struggle of two women, one from Cameroon and one from Nigeria, to find their loved ones who have been internally displaced since Boko Haram began its insurgency in those countries. 

We invite you to submit your application if you meet the criteria – and please spread the word. The application deadline is Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Eligibility:

• The contest is open to up-and-coming, English-speaking journalists working in Africa for print, broadcast and online news media.
  
• Applicants must have no more than 10 years of journalism experience.
• Applicants must submit one published story that reflects top-notch storytelling about important issues.
• The submission can be a feature story; an in-depth, investigative or explanatory piece; or a multimedia report or documentary.
• The published story or broadcast must be submitted in English. Works in other languages must include English translations.

The application deadline is Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

A distinguished international jury will select the winner.