The Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute of New York University’s Faculty of Arts and Science
They are pleased to announce The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award to provide
the means for promising early-career, creative nonfiction writers to report on an untold story that
uncovers truths about the human condition.
The Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award is a grant of $12,500 to support the work of a promising early-career nonfiction writer on a story that uncovers truths about the human condition.
Offered for the first time in 2015, the Award has been endowed by individuals and organizations touched by the life and work of Matthew Power, a wide-roving and award-winning journalist who sought to live and share the experience of the individuals and places on which he was reporting. Power, a longtime friend of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, died in March 2014, while on assignment in Uganda.
The award proceeds from the recognition that many important stories need to be reported from afar, and that publications do not always have the resources to send a writer where the story is. The money need not be used exclusively for travel, but they expect that most successful applications will include such expenses. A panel of NYU journalism professors, outside writers, and editors will review the proposals. Finalists may be asked to interview in person or by Skype.
The Institute expects the completed work to appear in an English-language publication of strong reputation which means that the publication should be well known to American audiences additionally, only proposals submitted in English, for articles intended to be written in English, will be considered.
The award is intended to support the research and writing of an article. two people–co-writers, for instance can apply jointly for the award. Projects are selected based in part on their estimation of how likely the finished piece is to find a strong outlet for publication.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
- The Winner will receive a six thousand dollar ($6,000) prize on announcement of the winning
proposal. - The Winner will be eligible to receive three thousand dollars ($3,000) upon evidence of
substantial progress, and an additional three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) on completion and acceptance of the Work by the December 31, 2022, deadline. Acceptance will be determined at the sole discretion of the Committee based upon a determination that the Work meets the level of excellence established by the Committee. An acceptable work in prose, for example, would be expected to probe a subject in depth (4,000 to 6,000 words), bringing new understanding to an important public issue. The Work may require additional reporting and/or editing before it is accepted. The decision of the Committee shall be final and conclusive. - The Winner will have access to an NYU ID, online and onsite access to NYU Bobst Library
research and reference privileges from the start date of the Award until the submission deadline date. - The Winner will not be deemed to be an NYU employee by virtue of winning the Competition,
submitting the Work, or publishing the Work in conjunction with NYU and will not be entitled to
any employee benefits from NYU. The Winner will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes related to the prize. - A Runner-Up, if named, will receive a four thousand dollar ($4,000) prize on announcement of
the runner-up award. The runner-up will receive no funds thereafter. The Runner-Up will not be
deemed to be an NYU employee by virtue of winning the Competition, submitting the Work, or
publishing the Work in conjunction with NYU and will not be entitled to any employee benefits
from NYU. The Runner-Up will be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes related to the prize. There will be no Runner-Up prize in 2022. - The initial monetary prizes will be provided by check within eight weeks of being awarded.
Additional payments to the Winner will be made upon evidence of substantial progress, and again upon acceptance of the finished article.
Eligibilities
- The Competition is open to anyone age 21 and older, with the exceptions provided for in this
section. The Institute encourages applications from early-career, nonfiction writers whose work will
perpetuate the legacy of Matthew Power as detailed in the Competition guidelines. - Not eligible for the Competition are: NYU Affiliates and their immediate families; NYU
graduates receiving degrees dated within two years of the application deadline; and journalists holding
staff positions at established media outlets determined by the Committee to be ineligible because
they are capable of funding such a project on their own. You may not enter the Competition if, on
the day it is announced, you meet any of these criteria. The Institute reserves the absolute right to
disqualify any entrant to the Competition whom it deems ineligible according to these criteria. - Applicants to Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award may not apply to the NYU Reporting
Award in the same year. - Applicants may only apply once to the Matthew Power Literary Reporting Award in a single year
(no multiple applications for multiple proposals). - All decisions of the Institute regarding eligibility will be final and binding.
Eligible Regions: Open for All
Application Process
- Apply via online application.
Application Deadline: March 2, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
