FAQs
Institute for Environmental Journalism Summer 2019
Who can apply? Students entering 10th through 12th grade in the fall of 2019, as well as graduating high school seniors. We accept participants from the United States and abroad.
How do I apply? The free application is available here and is due by May 15. You will be required to answer four short response questions, submit your current school transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and provide either a recommendation letter or contact information for a reference. An entrance interview will be required.
Why learn about journalism with InsideClimate News? As stated in our mission, ICN is committed to training the next generation of journalists and strengthening the practice of environmental journalism. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning organization, and the winner of most the nation's premiere journalism awards, we hold ourselves to the highest journalistic standards. This, coupled with our professional ethos centered on building community, collaboration, and teamwork to create unparalleled journalism, means that you will learn environmental journalism from the best in the field.
What is the cost? Tuition for the NYC session is $2800, including lunch and snacks. This is a day program and ICN is not responsible for housing. Tuition for the Maine session is $3850. This is a boarding program and includes meals and snacks.
Does the program meet on weekends? The Maine session runs for 12 consecutive days from the first Monday to the following Friday, including the Saturday and Sunday dates. The NYC session does not include weekends. It runs 10 days, Monday to Friday only for the two weeks.
Are scholarships available? There are a limited number of scholarships available, made possible by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Both partial and full scholarships are awarded to promising individuals, based primarily on need. InsideClimate News wants to attract participants of all backgrounds to the Institute for Environmental Journalism. To apply for a scholarship, please fill out the scholarship form by April 15, in addition to the main application form. Those who submit after April 15 will be considered on a rolling basis depending on available funds.
Why do you need my school grades? As a rigorous journalistic institute, we look to see how applicants do in a school environment. However! We know that grades only tell part of an applicant's story. We often see an applicant's ability and ambition shine through in the answers to the application questions.
Do parents and caregivers get to visit the program or go on field trips? While they can't join on field trips, parents, caregivers, and families are invited to an end of program panel on the final Friday of the session. Participants will present their work for families, ICN staffers, guest speakers and other invited guests.
How do you make sure participants are safe? We do rigorous resume and state-required background checks on all our instructors and institute staff. We carefully supervise participants on field and reporting trips, as well as in the classroom. Our on-site counsellors will be responsible for enforcing curfews, university policies and keeping students safe after programs hours.
For the Maine session: When can I check into the dorms ahead of the program? You can arrive anytime after 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. All participants must vacate the dorms at the end of the program by 2 p.m. on Friday, July 12.
Still have questions? Contact us at journalisminstitute@insideclimatenews.org.