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awards, Events, Opportunities, other events

KURT SCHORK MEMORIAL FUND (KSMF) 2026 AWARDS

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Application Deadline: midnight (BST, UTC+1) on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

LOCATION: USA

The Kurt Schork Memorial Fund (KSMF) invites freelance journalists, local reporters, and news fixers from around the world to submit entries for the 25th annual Kurt Schork Awards in International Journalism. Named in memory of American freelance journalist Kurt Schork, who was killed in 2000 while on assignment for Reuters in Sierra Leone, the awards recognize the bravery of journalists who take great personal risk, often for little reward, to shine a light on the truth and hold power to account.

ELIGIBILITY:

Entrants for the Local Reporter and Freelance Awards must submit three articles each, published between June 01, 2025, and June 14, 2026. The judges will look for journalistic excellence in applicants’ submissions and evidence of determination and courage in obtaining their stories.

News Fixer Award applicants must submit three references from foreign correspondents with whom they have worked during the same time period. The range of skills displayed by a news fixer can be vast, and this is taken into consideration by the jury. They will look for evidence of skills such as displaying excellent news judgment, suggesting story leads and providing logistical support. The judges will also consider how the applicant’s support benefited the content, impact, and reach of the coverage they facilitated.

The News Fixer Award, launched in 2016 and presented for the first time in 2017, was inspired by the freelance journalist, author and friend of Kurt Schork, Anna Husarska. Further details about eligibility and entry criteria, as well as the online entry forms and FAQs, can be found on the KSMF website.

The three award categories, open to those reporting for print and online publications, recognize the media professionals that Kurt particularly admired:

Freelance Award: Recognizing freelance journalists who travel to the world’s conflict zones, usually at great personal risk, to witness and report on the impact and consequences of these events.

Local Reporter Award: recognizing the often-overlooked work of journalists in developing nations, or countries in transition, who write about events in their homeland.

News Fixer Award: Recognizing the work of local journalists or experts, typically hired by foreign correspondents, whose guidance and local knowledge play an unsung but vital role in facilitating international coverage from difficult, dangerous, or hostile locations.

Applications are now open, and the deadline for submissions is midnight (BST, UTC+1) on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

BENEFIT:

The awards recognize excellence and courage in reporting conflict, corruption, injustice, and human rights issues, with winners receiving a $5,000 cash prize.

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awards, Events, Opportunities, other events, PhD/post doctoral

SCHMIDT SCIENCE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SSF) PROGRAM 

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Application Period: May 19 through June 1, 2026.

LOCATION: Germany

The Schmidt Science Fellows (SSF) Program aims to expand the horizons of the next generation of leaders and innovators in the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computing. The program is administrated by Schmidt Futures, an organization established by Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt, in partnership with the Rhodes Trust and is supported by many of the world’s leading scientific thinkers, industry leaders, and institutions.

ELIGIBILITY:

The program addresses outstanding doctoral researchers who combine keen scientific curiosity with the capability of cooperation, wish to make a major contribution to science and society by their work, and are ready to focus on a discipline that is different from their existing area of expertise during the funding period.

Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, parental status, marital or civil partner status, race, color, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion, or belief.

The doctorate should be completed between May 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

The program addresses outstanding doctoral researchers who combine keen scientific curiosity with the capability of cooperation,  wish to make a major contribution to science and the society by their work, and are ready to focus on a discipline that is different from their existing area of expertise during the funding period.

Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, parental status, marital or civil partner status, race, color, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion or belief.

The doctorate should be completed between May 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.Scientists of KIT who supervise doctoral candidates are requested to propose qualified candidates to the International Affairs Business Unit by April 24, 2026 (Contact Person: Oliver Kaas)

In order to be eligible for nomination and potential selection as a Schmidt Science Fellow, candidates must meet the following requirements:

Be able to start their fellowship in July 2027 or October 2027 and available from April 2027 to July 2028 to attend onboarding activities, the in-person Science Leadership Program convenings, and the annual Schmidt Science Fellows Interdisciplinary Science Summit

Graduate degree in the natural sciences, Engineering, Mathematics or Computing with a commitment to interdisciplinary science

The program addresses outstanding doctoral candidates from selected institutions who combine a strong scientific curiosity with the ability to collaborate and who are willing to work in a scientific field outside their previous research activities during the funding period.

Have completed or expect to complete all of the requirements for the conferral of their doctorate in one of these fields between May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027

KIT can submit up to seven nominations in this call.

BENEFIT:

Stipend of US $110,000 per year  (for up to two years, a total of up to $220,000 of support during their fellowship) for research

Participation in leadership and innovation trainings at a self-chosen leading academic institution worldwide

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