Are you a college junior, senior or graduate student pursuing a journalism internship this summer? SAJA can help you with your expenses.

Shrinking newsroom budgets mean fewer fully paid internships. If an enterprising student can secure an unpaid or partially paid internship at a media organization, a little financial help from SAJA to meet basic expenses will help the student gain valuable experience and clips.

This year, SAJA will grant up to $4,500 distributed among three students who have already secured internships, but may find it difficult to accept because they are partially paid or unpaid. This is a need-based grant. Up to three students will receive between $500 and $1,500 each for the summer.

Students from all mediums (newspaper, magazine, radio, TV and new media) will be considered.
 
Please contact SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni at secretary@saja.org with questions or to send supporting application materials.

To Apply:

Start your online application by registering here. To complete your application, email secretary@saja.org with the following supporting materials:

1. A copy of your offer letter.

2. A copy of your resume.

3. Attachments or links to 3-5 clips.

4. Answers to the following questions (300 words or less each):

a. What has driven your interest in SAJA, South Asia or the diaspora?
b. How have you been involved with SAJA thus far?
c. Detail the expenses you will incur to pursue this internship.
d. Detail your financial need for this grant.
e. Detail any other sources of funding you are receiving for this internship.

Deadline to apply is 11:59 P.M. EST, Saturday, June 1, 2013. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Selection Criteria:

• Must have already secured internship at a recognized media organization. Please include internship offer letter, terms of remuneration, length of internship, and point of contact as part of application package.
• Applicants with financial need will be given special consideration. We will determine financial need based on whether they have a fully paid, partially paid or unpaid internship.
• Interest in journalism based on work samples: 3 to 5 clips.
• A "give back to SAJA" plan. Recipients are expected to give back to SAJA by volunteering at the annual convention or in other ways approved by the SAJA board of directors.
  

Eligibility:

• Current students who are juniors, or graduating seniors in an accredited college or university (two-year or four-year) in North America; or a student enrolled or about to enter a graduate-level program in North America.
• Of South Asian descent (includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Indo-Caribbeans are also eligible) OR demonstrate a clear interest in South Asia or the diaspora.
• Must have an internship offer from a recognized media organization.
  

Note: College or graduate students graduating in May/June 2013 are eligible. Immediate relatives of SAJA board members and judges are INELIGIBLE to apply.

Evaluation Procedure:

A committee of judges appointed by SAJA board of directors will review the applications and evaluate them on a number of subjective and objective criteria, including interest in journalism, writing skills, reasons for entering journalism, financial need and participation and enthusiasm about SAJA.

Applicants may be interviewed by phone or in person by a member of the judges' committee. Winners will be notified in mid-June.

Award Process:

The student will be paid in two installments, one at the start, and one at the completion of the internship.

Payment of second installment will be dependent on the student coming up with a plan to contribute/give back to SAJA.

Each student will be required to complete a report/survey to SAJA on the program, to help board decide on the program's viability.

Please contact SAJA Secretary Shefali Kulkarni secretary@saja.org with questions or to send supporting application materials.