Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship Program Guidelines

Mission Statement

Objective news coverage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement insists upon the basic premise that all people are created equal. But media coverage today often begins with the discriminatory notion that equality for LGBT people is somehow a matter for debate.

To address this inequity, the Task Force coordinates a $240,000 scholarship program for undergraduate college students pursuing a degree in journalism at an accredited four-year college or university. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Messenger-Anderson Scholarship was donated by Larry Messenger and Jim Anderson in memory of Lawrence and Selina Messenger. The Messengers believed that there is a pressing need to encourage LGBT people to become more involved in shaping media coverage of LGBT issues.

The Task Force Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship is open to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in journalism or communications at an accredited four-year college or university. Students attending a university that does not offer a journalism degree are nonetheless eligible to apply if they plan to pursue a career in journalism or communications advocacy. The scholarship award is $5,000 in the first year, renewable at up to $2,500 per year up to a maximum of $10,000, should the student still qualify. All students who receive a scholarship award must also participate in the Task Force Messenger-Anderson Internship program at the Task Force's New York City office.

Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Students applying for a National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Messenger-Anderson Scholarship must:

• Be self-identified LGBT college undergraduates entering their sophomore, junior or senior years.
• Be attending or accepted for attendance at an accredited four-year college or university.
• Be pursuing or planning to pursue a degree in journalism or, if a journalism program does not exist at their institutions, pursuing a career in journalism.
• Have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.8 or better (on a scale of 4.0).
• Be members of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Student memberships are $20 per year and are available at www.theTaskForce.org/donate/membership or a check may be enclosed with the scholarship application package.

Terms and Amount of Award

• The scholarship award is $5,000 for the first year.
• Scholarships are renewable at up to $2,500 per year up to a maximum of $10,000.
• Students must submit a renewal application to be considered for additional award(s).
• Recipients must complete an eight-week summer internship at the Task Force office in New York City in the year in which the award is received.
• Intern stipends are $300 per week. Round-trip transportation, a $50 ground transportation amount, and a housing allowance of $1,000 will be provided.
• Students are responsible for obtaining their own housing.
• Awards may be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board.
• Scholarship award checks will be issued at the end of the successful completion of the summer internship, made payable to the college or university.
• Award check will be made payable to the student's college or university and mailed to the student's permanent address unless otherwise specified.
• Students are responsible for delivering the award check to their school's financial aid office.

Students who wish to be considered for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship must submit the following items postmarked no later than the posted deadline date. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Materials should be collated in the following order:

• Completed application.
• Official transcript (one sealed original and five duplicates of an official transcript).
• Essay — Must be typed, double-spaced, single-sided, submitted on 8 1/2" x 11" paper. Applicant must submit six copies.
• Work sample — One writing sample or photo, six copies. For broadcast sample, please submit script or copy. Do not send tapes.
• Three letters of recommendation – Include one letter from an individual familiar with your academic and/or journalism work and one letter from an individual familiar with your community work. Letters must be sealed and included in your application packet. It is not necessary to send duplicates of recommendation letters.

Review Process

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Messenger-Anderson Journalism Scholarship and Internship Program selection committee will review all applications. That committee includes Task Force staff, community activists and at least one working journalist.

After reviewing all applications, scholarship finalists will be chosen and interviewed by members of the selection committee. Interviews will be conducted by phone.

All applicants will be notified of their status approximately six weeks after the application deadline. Please do not call or write the Task Force about decisions concerning your application.

Submission/Deadline

• Materials submitted by fax transmission or e-mail will not be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Submit application and all supporting materials by March 30, 2007 to:

  Messenger-Anderson Scholarship and Internship Program
  National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
  80 Maiden Lane, Suite 1504
  New York, NY 10038