Wilson Center 2023 Visiting Arab Journalist Program for Journalists

The Middle East Program is pleased to announce the 2023 competition for the Wilson Center’s Visiting Arab Journalist Program. One Arab, Middle Eastern or North African journalist will be selected to spend 3 months in residence at the Woodrow Wilson Center, in the heart of Washington, D.C., where they will carry out advanced, policy-oriented research and writing. This program is made possible by generous financial support provided by Dr. David Ottaway, Middle East Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

• Table of Content
• About Wilson Center
• Visiting Arab Journalist Program
• Aim and Benefits of Visiting Arab Journalist Program
• Requirements for Visiting Arab Journalist Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Visiting Arab Journalist Program
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

Visiting Arab Journalist Program

Aim and Benefits of Visiting Arab Journalist Program

The stipend provided is $5,000 per month. In addition, the Wilson Center will pay roughly three-quarters of the health insurance premiums for the visiting journalist, and the journalist will pay roughly one-quarter of the cost. The journalist will be provided with suitable work space, a Windows-based computer, and where feasible, a part-time research assistant. The Wilson Center Library provides access to digital resources, its book and journal collections, and to the Library of Congress, university and special libraries in the area, and other research facilities.

Requirements for Visiting Arab Journalist Program Qualification

This competition is open to Arab men and women from, and working in, the Middle East or North Africa in the Arabic media. Applications will be accepted from members of the print, television, radio or electronic media. Candidates must be currently working as reporters and columnists or broadcasters.

Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience and must be able to work in both written and spoken English and Arabic. Applicants must be able to hold a valid passport and obtain a J1 visa.

The Center will assist in the visa process.

Interview date, Process and Venue for Visiting Arab Journalist Program

The basic criteria for selection are:
1) the importance and originality of the research project,
2) the quality of the proposal in definition, organization, clarity and scope,
3) the quality of the writing sample, and
4) the professional achievements of the applicant.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following materials in English electronically to [email protected]. All documents must be in PDF format. 

1) Completed Application Form, found at the top of the page. 

2) a 1,000 word maximum description of a proposed project that would benefit from a stay in Washington, D.C.
- a detailed explanation of the research topic relevant to the Middle East and the United States;
- including the importance and originality of the project; and
- the significance of the project to contemporary Middle East/ United States policy issues;

3) a CV or resume

4) a writing sample

5) two letters of recommendation, one of which should not be from someone with whom the applicant has worked.

Recommendation letters should address the quality and significance of the research, and the capabilities and achievements of the applicant.

Application letters and letters of recommendation should be sent to

E-mail: [email protected]

All applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts. Final selection will be made by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

For more details, visit Wilson Center website.