Regulations for the Wei Ming-Kuang Prize Grants and Awards

Article 1: Core Mission
The core mission of the Wei Ming-Kuang Prize is to advocate for and explore ways to promote and elevate the performance and quality of news media in Taiwan. It focuses on enhancing professional standards, talent development, watchdog and accountability functions, production environments, and operational mechanisms. Furthermore, it emphasizes driving innovation amidst technological evolution and shifting global affairs to build a news information ecosystem that is responsible, credible, and positively influential.

Article 2: Eligibility
The Prize is open to citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and foreign nationals holding permanent residency in Taiwan, regardless of whether they are employed by domestic media, foreign media, or are independent journalists primarily engaged in news production. For proposals submitted by domestic media organizations, there is no upper limit on the number of participants' nationalities or professional identities. Eligible applicants include:

1. Professional news media organizations legally established in the Republic of China (Taiwan), or their employees and teams.
2. Independent media practitioners or teams who publish news works across various platforms and primarily engage in news production.
3. Relevant professional organizations established in the Republic of China (Taiwan) with the goal of promoting and improving the performance and quality of Taiwanese journalism.

Article 3: Application Process
Eligible applicants must apply via project proposals and submit required documents through the online system. For detailed document requirements and relevant regulations, please refer to the "Implementation Rules of the Wei Ming-Kuang Prize".

Article 4: Award Categories and Key Objectives
The Prize is divided into two categories: the Initiative for Journalism Advancement and the Initiative for Global Exploration. Both categories share the core mission of promoting and elevating the quality of Taiwan's news media.

1. Initiative for Journalism Advancement (Domestic Initiative Prize)

This award is primarily implemented within Taiwan. It encourages journalists to utilize pioneering mindsets to enhance news quality, propose solutions to current industry challenges, or develop new methods for news production, reporting, and presentation.

Awards: Ideally, two to five outstanding proposals are selected each cycle. To encourage young talent, at least one slot will be reserved for applicants who have graduated from university for less than ten years.

Grants: Winning proposals receive project execution grants ranging from NT$750,000 to NT$2,500,000.

Key Objectives:

• Developing the depth, professional impact, independence, and credibility of news reporting.
  
• Promoting talent recruitment, cultivation, retention, and professional literacy.
  
• Innovating internal and external watchdog and accountability mechanisms.
  
• Planning and practicing the roles and responsibilities of news media amidst global and social shifts.
  
• Rationalizing and humanizing production environments and operational mechanisms.
  
• Preserving the essence and value of journalism amidst evolving digital technology and audience culture.
  
• Other innovative projects that contribute to the improvement of news media performance and quality.
  
• Deliverables: High-quality reporting or news programs, innovative designs, operational strategy reports, case study reports, or other formats that demonstrate project results.

Duration: Limited to a maximum of one year.

2. Initiative for Global Exploration (International Exploration Prize)

This award is primarily implemented abroad. It emphasizes expanding international horizons, accumulating social capital, and enhancing professional capabilities through overseas learning and transnational cooperation. It consists of Professional Development Projects (primarily for individuals) and International News Co-creation Projects (open to individuals, teams, and organizations).

Awards: Ideally, two to five outstanding proposals are selected each cycle.

Grants: Winning proposals receive project execution grants ranging from NT$600,000 to NT$2,500,000.

Key Objectives:

• Developing and enhancing professional journalism skills.
  
• Establishing relationships with international media or communication professionals.
  
• Developing a global vision and multicultural understanding.
  
• Enhancing the uniqueness and depth of reporting through on-site coverage of international issues.
  
• Deliverables: Overseas observations, conferences, internships, advanced studies, exchanges, collaborations, etc.. The awarding unit will also arrange separate methods for result presentation.
  
• Duration: Limited to a maximum of one year. For "Professional Development Projects," the stay abroad must be at least 2 months; "International News Co-creation Projects" have no minimum time limit.

Article 5: Required Documents

1. Basic Information Form (including career history).
2. Project Proposal (including budget planning).
3. Record of Professional Performance and Representative Works (maximum five items).
4. Institutional Acknowledgment Letter (exempt for Category 2 applicants) and Recommendation Letters (maximum three).

Article 6: Submission Dates
The organizer will announce the submission dates for each year on the official website.

Article 7: Announcement of Finalists and Launch Event
The organizer will announce the timeline for the shortlist announcement and the award ceremony on the official website.

Article 8: Review Mechanism
A "Wei Ming-Kuang Prize Committee" is established to ensure fair and smooth review processes.

1. The Committee consists of representatives from National Chengchi University, communication associations, industry experts, and esteemed public figures.
2. The Committee appoints a diverse selection panel of communication scholars, journalism practitioners, and credible social elites. Each category typically has 5 to 7 judges.
3. The process includes Preliminary Review (shortlist announcement) and Final Review (winner announcement at the ceremony).
4. The Committee reserves the right to declare "No Winner" if no proposals meet the required standards.

Article 9: Grantee Obligations

1. Winners must sign a grant agreement with the Wei Fund Office.
2. Winners must introduce their projects at the award ceremony.
3. Submit periodic progress reports and a final report.
4. Grantees must participate in promotional activities, such as forums, lectures, or experience-sharing sessions.

Article 10: Amendments
Any matters not covered in these regulations may be amended and announced on the official website.

 
Contact: (02) 2939-3091 ext. 63038