Introducing the Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship
Applications for the 2025 Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship are now open.
The fellowship will provide up to three grants to individual journalists, authors, or writers from the United States or China to undertake projects that promote understanding between the two countries.
Melvin M.S. Goo was a veteran journalist who worked for 34 years in the United States and Asia before passing away in 2016.
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Born in Macau, he graduated from high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, and spent 18 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at The Honolulu Advertiser.
In 1977, he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Mr. Goo continued his career in Asia, eventually becoming Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and later Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News.
Benefits
Selected fellows will receive $10,000 to complete projects that promote understanding between the U.S. and China.
Melvin M.S. Goo Writing Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
— Open to journalists, authors, or writers.
— Applicants must be nationals or permanent residents of the United States or the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong and Macao SARs.
Projects Requirements
— Projects may be produced in English or any Chinese language variety (applications must be submitted in English).
— They must be published or made publicly accessible in the U.S. and/or China; acceptable mediums include print publications, online periodicals, etc.
— Projects must be original works; completed or previously published works will not be accepted.
— All projects must be completed and delivered (i.e., published or distributed) by December 2025.
Selection Criteria
Proposed projects will be evaluated by a Selection Committee organized by the East-West Center based on several criteria, including:
— The project’s potential to promote better understanding between the people of the United States and China.
— A primary focus on underreported topics (such as cultural issues, lifestyles, education, youth, the arts, etc.).
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— The presence of any elements that conflict with the Fellowship’s mission, including divisive or inflammatory rhetoric.
— Whether the intended audience is broad and/or influential enough to support the Fellowship’s mission.
— Assurance that the project’s sources are diverse, reliable, and well-informed.
— Creativity and overall impact.
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following documents for consideration:
— The online Goo Fellowship application form.
— Project Proposal (maximum of 6 pages).
— Résumé or Curriculum Vitae.
— At least three (3) representative examples of prior work (e.g., writing samples, digital portfolio, etc.).
— Two (2) professional references with let
Recommended Addenda:
A Statement of Commitment from the intended publisher or distributor of the project.
While not formally required, proposals that include confirmed commitments from publishers will be given greater consideration by the selection committee.ters of recommendation.
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