Applications are invited for the Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship 2025. The last date for the application is January 22, 2025!

About Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship 2025

The Mina Swaminathan Fellowship constituted in 2020-21, aims to intensify focus on the theme of gender in MSSRF. It is in recognition of Ms Mina Swaminathan’s contribution to operationalizing gender and development as part of the institution’s core commitment to a pro-woman, pro-poor and pro-nature approach.

Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship 2025
Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship 2025

MSSRF began a gendered approach to research and development under the leadership of Ms Mina Swaminathan several years ago. She is nationally known for her contributions towards developing a holistic view on gender equality and child development, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which takes account of the multiple needs and roles of women.

What is the Fellowship program?

The Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship (MSMF) is constituted with a main objective of promoting the exchange of ideas between researchers and the media / press persons for greater partnerships between science and media.

The broad theme for the Fellowship is ‘Gendered livelihood transformations and their impacts on food, nutrition and health security in the hinterlands of India’.

    Theme

    • Historical Context of Women’s Collective Action in India:
      • Women have a long history of collective action in India.
      • Forms of collectives include:
        • Neighbourhood self-help groups.
        • Joint liability groups.
        • Workers’ collectives/trade unions.
        • Cooperatives.
        • Political federations.
      • Collectives address shared vulnerabilities, challenge patriarchy, and demand rights, resources, and opportunities.
      • These groups aim to bring about larger socio-political transformations.
    • Characteristics of Women’s Collectives:
      • Can be small or large, formal or informal, local or transnational.
      • May form organically or through external stimuli.
      • Unified by the objective of addressing shared problems.
    • Challenges Faced by Women’s Collectives:
      • Gendered institutions and norms often restrict women to the domestic sphere.
      • Denied spaces to voice their demands.
      • Face structural barriers and patriarchal backlash from group mobilization to goal achievement.
    • Resilience and Contributions:
      • Despite challenges, women’s collectives demonstrate resilience.
      • They make remarkable contributions toward gender equality and transformative justice.
    • 2025 Fellowship Theme:
      • “The Power of Collective: Women Coming Together for Change”.
      • Aimed at highlighting inspiring stories of rural women’s collectives addressing structural inequalities and injustices.
    • Work Location
      • Remote villages in:
        • Orissa
        • Tamil Nadu
        • Kerala

    Eligibility

    • Professional Background:
      • Full-time, part-time, or freelance journalist in print, television, or multimedia.
    • Area of Interest:
      • Focus on issues related to gender, social movements, and rural development.
    • Language Proficiency:
      • Strong writing skills in Odiya, Malayalam, or Tamil.
    • Reporting Skills:
      • Aptitude for research-centric rural reporting.
    • Commitment
      • Four Months (February 2025 -May 2025)

    How to Apply?

    • Application Submission Requirements:
    • Covering Letter:
      • Include a statement of motivation explaining why you deserve the Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship.
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV):
      • Limited to two pages.
    • Work Samples:
      • Published materials in the applied language (Malayalam, Tamil, or Odiya).
      • Maximum of five links; all samples must be from 2024.
      • At least three samples should cover gender and/or development issues.
    • Reference Letters:
      • Two letters from experts familiar with your work.
    • Additional Information:
    • Job Code: Clearly indicate ‘MSMF2025’ in the application.
    • Encouragement for Women Applicants:
      • MSSRF particularly encourages women reporting in the three regional languages to apply.
    • Selection Process:
      • The decision of the selection committee is final.
    • Submission Details:
    • Deadline: Ensure the application is submitted before the last date.
    • Email Address: Send the application to admn[at]mssrf[dot]res[dot]in.

    Deadline

    The last date for the application is January 22nd, 2025

    Click here to view the official notification for the Mina Swaminathan Media Fellowship 2025.

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