Application Guidelines for  the Initiative for Global Exploration  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”) to concretely implement the objectives of the Initiative for Global Exploration. The Award aims to encourage applicants to expand their international perspectives and social networks through overseas learning or cross-border media collaboration, thereby strengthening professional journalistic practice and enhancing the social impact of journalism in Taiwan.

II. Eligibility

Applicants must meet one of the three categories specified in Article 2 of the Grant Regulations and submit a concrete proposal, choosing 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 applicants fall into the following categories:

• Legally established professional news media organizations in the Republic of China (Taiwan), or their employees or teams.
• Independent journalists or teams who publish journalistic works on various media platforms and engage in journalism as their primary profession.
• 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. Types of Initiative for Global Exploration

The Initiative for Global Exploration consists of the following two categories:

1. Professional Development Program: Primarily intended for individuals who undertake overseas observation, internships, research, reporting, workshops, fieldwork, or other professional development activities. The duration of the overseas stay must be no less than two months.
2. International Journalism Co-Creation Program: Proposed by individuals or teams (including organizations), this category supports collaborative journalism projects such as news reporting or in-depth research conducted jointly with international media or institutions, with a maximum project duration of one year.
    

IV. Application and Review Process

1. Applicants must submit the following documents through the online system within the designated 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 employing organization (Applicants under Category II—independent journalists or teams—may be exempt), letters of recommendation (up to three), other supplementary materials beneficial to the review

  2.  Proposal Content

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

• Cultivating and enhancing professional journalistic competencies
• Building relationships with international media organizations or communication professionals
• Developing a global perspective and multicultural understanding
• Enhancing journalistic uniqueness and depth through in-depth engagement with international issues on the ground

  b. Each proposal should include:

• The professional focus, implementation plan, proposed timeline, destination country/region, international partner media or institutions, and motivation and objectives of the exploration project
• Expected outcomes and anticipated contributions to the journalism industry

  3. Review Procedure

1. Reviewers shall be recommended by the Committee of Wei Ming-Kuang Prize and must possess professional expertise or recognized credibility in journalism.
2. Preliminary Review: Qualified proposals will be selected through a document review process, and shortlisted applicants will be announced on the official website.
3. Final Review: A review meeting will be convened to select award-winning proposals, which will be officially announced at the Award Ceremony.
    

V. Number of Awards and Grant Amount

1. Number of Awards: Each cycle will, in principle, select two to five outstanding proposals. The organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of awards or declare no award granted, depending on the quality of applications received.
2. Grant Amount: Each awarded proposal will receive funding ranging from NTD 600,000 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 project report
    

VI. Project Implementation and Presentation of Outcomes

1. Project content must include clear forms of overseas participation, which may include:

• Overseas observation and study (media organizations, research institutions, or policy bodies)
• Participation and presentation at international conferences or workshops
• Internships or co-reporting with foreign media organizations
• Professional courses, workshops, or academic programs
• Collaborative and exchange programs with international journalists
• Other forms conducive to professional development and engagement in journalism

2. Award recipients must submit the following reports on schedule:

• Interim Progress Report: To be submitted upon reaching the midpoint of the project period
• Final Project Report: To be submitted within one month after project completion, in accordance with the contract

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

VII. Supplementary Provisions and Obligations of Award Recipients

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

VIII. Additional Provisions

Any matters not covered in these Guidelines shall be reviewed and amended, as necessary, by the organizer with approval from the Committee of Wei Ming-Kuang Prize, and such amendments shall be announced on the official website.