Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 ($10,000 Funding)

The Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 offers a unique opportunity for journalists, authors, and writers from the United States and China to receive up to $10,000 in funding for projects that enhance mutual understanding between the two countries. Administered by the East-West Center, this fellowship honors the legacy of Melvin M.S. Goo, a renowned journalist who spent decades bridging the gap between Asia and the United States through insightful reporting and editorial work.

About the Fellowship

Established through the Melvin M.S. Goo Memorial Fund, the fellowship supports original writing projects that explore underreported topics or issues related to economic, social, or cultural understanding between the U.S. and China. Selected fellows receive financial support to produce works that may include articles, books, or a series of publications, which must be accessible to audiences in the United States and/or China.

Projects can be produced in English or a Chinese language variant, but all applications must be submitted in English. Applicants are encouraged to incorporate travel as part of their research, though it is not a mandatory component. Any travel costs are covered by the fellowship award.

The fellowship’s goal is to promote dialogue, cultural exchange, and accurate reporting between the two countries, highlighting nuanced perspectives and fostering informed public discourse.

Also Apply For: IBRO FENS/IBRO-PERC Exchange Fellowships Programme 2026

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national or permanent resident of the United States or the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macau SARs.
• All applicants will be considered regardless of ethnicity, ancestral background, or professional experience.
• Be an individual journalist, author, or writer proposing an original project.
• Previous work or completed projects are not eligible; the project must be in development at the time of application.

Fellowship Award and Funding

• Award Amount: Up to $10,000 USD per fellow.
• Number of Recipients: Two fellows will be selected for the 2026 cycle.
• Funding Use: Covers research, writing, and travel related to the project. Travel must be arranged and funded by the fellowship itself.
• Project Completion: Fellows must deliver or publish the project by December 2026.

This funding provides writers with the resources to focus on high-quality research, interviews, and publication efforts while ensuring their work reaches a broad and influential audience.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Project Proposal (max six pages)
   • Main narrative or premise of the project
   • How the project fosters U.S.-China understanding
   • Medium for publication (articles, book, online/print periodicals)
   • Potential interviewees or collaborators
   • Planned travel
   • Preliminary timeline and internal deadlines
   • Intended publication outlet
   • Anticipated audience reach
2. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (max two pages)
3. At least three representative writing samples (published or unpublished)
4. Two professional references with letters of recommendation

Optional Addenda:

• Statement of commitment from intended publisher or distributor

Note: Extra pages beyond limits will not be reviewed, and incomplete or late applications are ineligible.

Selection Criteria

A committee of U.S.-China experts and journalism professionals evaluates applications based on:

• Ability to promote better understanding between the U.S. and China
• Focus on underreported issues, particularly those related to economic or cultural topics
• Broad and influential intended audience
• Quality and diversity of sources
• Creativity, originality, and overall impact of the project
• Alignment with the fellowship’s mission and absence of divisive or inflammatory content

About Melvin M.S. Goo

Melvin MS Goo (1942–2016) was a distinguished journalist who spent 34 years reporting across the United States and Asia. A graduate of high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, he worked extensively at The Honolulu Advertiser, later moving to Asia where he became Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News. In 1977, he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. This fellowship celebrates his career of building bridges between the U.S. and Asia through thoughtful journalism

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Deadline and Submission

• Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 11:00 AM (HST)
• Submission Portal: Applications must be submitted through the East-West Center online platform.
• The fellowship is committed to nondiscrimination, ensuring equal opportunity regardless of sex, ethnicity, or background.

For more information, visit the East-West Center website or contact the fellowship team for guidance.