Application Guidelines for the Initiative for Journalism Advancement  of the Wei Ming-Kuang Prize

I. Purpose

These Application Guidelines are formulated in accordance with the Wei Ming-Kuang Prize Grant Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the “Grant Regulations”) and are intended to concretely implement the objectives of the Initiative for Journalism Advancement.

The Award encourages journalists or organizations to propose innovative and actionable initiatives aimed at improving the quality of journalism in Taiwan. Eligible initiatives may include, but are not limited to, news production, institutional innovation, watchdog mechanisms, talent development, and improvements in organizational operations.

II. Eligibility

Applicants must fall under one of the three categories specified in Article 2 of the Grant Regulations and submit a concrete proposal. Applicants may apply for either the Initiative for Journalism Advancement or the Initiative for Global Exploration, but not both. Eligible applicants include Taiwanese nationals and foreign nationals holding permanent residency in Taiwan. For proposals submitted by domestic media organizations, there is no restriction on the nationality or professional status of participating members.

Eligible categories include:

1. Professional news media organizations legally established in the Republic of China (Taiwan), or their employees or project teams.
2. Independent journalists or teams who publish journalistic work on various media platforms and engage in journalism as their primary profession.
3. Professional organizations established in the Republic of China (Taiwan) with the objective of promoting and enhancing the performance and quality of journalism in Taiwan.

III. Application and Review

1. Applicants must submit the following documents through the online application system within the announced application period:

• Basic information form (including career background)
• Project proposal (including budget plan)
• Record of professional performance and representative works (up to five items)
• Statement of acknowledgment from the applicant’s employing organization (Applicants under Category 2—independent journalists or teams—may be exempt), letters of recommendation (up to three), other supplementary materials beneficial to the review

   2. Project Proposal Content

Proposals should address one or more of the following focus areas and clearly present implementation methods and expected outcomes:

• Enhancing the depth, professional influence, independence, and credibility of journalistic reporting
• Promoting talent recruitment, training, retention, and professional development within the journalism industry
• Innovating internal and external watchdog, oversight, and accountability mechanisms for media organizations
• Defining and practicing the roles and responsibilities of journalism in response to global and societal changes
• Improving the rationality, humanity, and effectiveness of news production environments and operational mechanisms
• Responding to and upholding core journalistic values amid evolving digital technologies and media consumption cultures
• Other innovative initiatives that contribute to improving journalistic performance and quality

   3. Review Procedure

1. Reviewers shall be recommended by the Committee of Wei Ming-Kuang Prize and shall possess professional expertise or public credibility in journalism.
2. Preliminary Review: Shortlisted proposals approved by the review committee will be announced on the official website.
3. Final Review: The review panel will convene to select award-winning proposals. The panel may invite shortlisted applicants to deliver an on-site presentation if deemed necessary. Award-winning proposals will be officially announced at the Award Ceremony.

IV. Number of Awards and Grant Amount

1. Number of Awards: Each award cycle will, in principle, select two to five outstanding proposals. The number of awards may be adjusted based on the quality of applications, and the organizer reserves the right to grant no award if warranted.
2. Grant Amount: Each awarded proposal will receive funding ranging from NTD 750,000 to NTD 2,500,000, subject to approval based on reviewers’ recommendations.
3. Disbursement Method: Grant funds will be disbursed in three stages:

1. First Stage: 50% upon contract signing or project commencement
2. Second Stage: 30% upon submission and approval of the interim progress report
3. Third Stage: 20% upon submission and approval of the final report

V. Project Implementation and Presentation of Outcomes

1. Project outcomes may take the following forms, among others:

• Production of high-quality journalistic reports or news programs
• Innovative, journalism-related project designs
• Operational or organizational reform proposals
• Case reports documenting implementation processes
• Other formats capable of demonstrating project outcomes

   2. Award recipients must submit the following reports as specified in the contract:

• Interim Progress Report, submit in accordance with the timeline stipulated in the contract.
• Final Project Report, to be submitted within one month after project completion 

   3. The organizer may arrange outcome presentation or dissemination events, and award recipients are expected to cooperate and participate.

VI. Supplementary Provisions and Obligations of Award Recipients

1. Award recipients must sign the grant contract with the organizer within three weeks of receiving the award notification.
2. Award recipients must attend the Award Ceremony and present their project.
3. Award recipients must cooperate with outreach and dissemination activities organized by the host, such as forums, lectures, workshops, or media-sharing events.
4. In cases of major violations or failure to execute the project as proposed, the organizer may require partial or full reimbursement of grant funds.
5. Award recipients may not receive other government or private grants for the same proposal.

VII. Miscellaneous

Any matters not covered in these Guidelines shall be amended by the Committee of Wei Ming-Kuang Prize and announced on the official website.