The International Monetary Fund Youth Fellowship Contest

What is the IMF Youth Fellowship Contest?

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase poverty and inequality, further exposing weaknesses in healthcare systems, the precariousness of work, and the challenging prospects for the young of accessing opportunities they desperately need.

The 2020 IMF Youth Fellowship Contest gives opportunity to young participants to become part of the global efforts to build forward better and join the IMF at the forefront of the response to the crisis. Participants will have a firsthand experience of the IMF virtual Annual Meetings and  will be given access to attend virtual training led by IMF experts and media professionals from the Financial Times, Politico and others to boost their skills as multimedia storytellers in the current economic environment focusing on building a better future for youth. At the end of the training participants will submit a final piece (blog/article or video) and 4 winners will be chosen to participate in an IMF youth panel discussion and their work will be featured on IMF channels.

Be heard. Become an IMF Youth Fellow.

Who Can Apply

• Aged 20 – 32
• Journalists (affiliated to a news/media outlet or working as an independent journalist).
• Content Creators (bloggers/ vloggers with online platforms).
• Communications and development professionals.
• Students.

Criteria

• Demonstrated knowledge, expertise and creativity in various communications platforms and/or journalism.
• Knowledge and expertise in international studies, basic economics and development is a plus.
• Degree in communications, journalism, economics, international relations, development or related field is desirable.
• Basic knowledge of English (for the training program and Annual Meetings coverage).

Timeline

*All entries should be submitted here by September 24, 2020, 11:59 p.m. (EDT)

Phase I: Contest will open to all via application form on the contest website. 

• September 1 – Announcement
• September 24 – Deadline for applications

Phase II: Selected participants will join an intensive capacity building program during the Annual Meetings

• October 5 – Shortlisted participants announcement
• October 12 - 17 – Training on media and video storytelling; Workshop on current global economic issues including inclusive growth, inequality, Fintech and climate change; Coverage of the Annual Meetings seminars and events.
• November 8 – Final products submission

Phase III: The 4 winners will participate in a panel with IMF senior management and will have their entries highlighted on IMF.org.

• November 30 – Winners announcement

Phase IV: Panel discussion featuring winners of the fellowship contest and featuring their articles/ videos on IMF channels.

Prizes

• Media and video storytelling training by media experts from Politico.

• A virtual capacity building program: sessions on media and video storytelling by the Financial Times and Politico; discussions on current global economic issues including inclusive growth, inequality, fintech and climate change.

• Access to the Annual Meetings seminars and events.
• Participation in a panel discussion with IMF senior management. 
• The winning articles and videos will be featured on IMF.org.

Apply Here

Further Reading About this Fund

Staff Writer

This article was written and edited by a staff writer.