The George Viner Memorial Fund has been supporting Black, Asian and Ethnic journalism students since 1986.
A healthy press will mirror the population it serves – yet research by City University in March 2016 showed that journalism in the UK still remains overwhelmingly white and that black and ethnic minority Britons still face huge barriers when trying to access any kind of media employment. The lack of diversity in the media leaves the industry at a severe disadvantage.
The George Viner Memorial Fund is now open to Black and Asian students. The fund was set up by the National Union of Journalists to address this shortfall. The fund supports Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students through the training they need to gain employment in radio, print, and photojournalism. As well as providing course fees, books or travel payments, the Trust provides mentoring, course and careers guidance. This ensures that as many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students as possible succeed in their chosen field.
More than 150 students have been given the opportunity to study for a recognised journalism qualification and enter the industry, thanks to the fund. Our former scholars work as staff, freelances, and photographers in all parts of the media including broadcasting, magazines, newspapers, public relations, book publishing and online.
Conditions of Sponsorship
The George Viner Memorial Fund is open to Black and Asian students who meet the following criteria:
- Are in receipt of a formal offer of a place on a course within the fields of print, broadcasting, photographic or online journalism. But not having already commenced the course.
- The course is an industry-recognised media course, based in the UK or Ireland.
- Be a citizen of the UK or Ireland.
- Be resident and planning to continue in education or start a professional career in the UK or Ireland, within the media industry.
- Not be receiving a student loan or other sponsorship to cover the costs of the course applied for.
- Not have been a recipient of funding from the George Viner Memorial Fund in any previous year.
- Applicants must provide evidence that they have been offered a place on the college/university course specified in the application.
- Sponsorship will only be paid once the student has commenced their studies.
- Course fees will be paid in instalments, directly to the institution
- Once a grant has been agreed by the Trustees, no revised costing or requests for donations will be accepted.
- Copies of receipts for all funding spent on travel and books must be sent to the Trust Administrators during the period to which sponsorship applies.
- Money for travel and other purchases will be paid to the student after presentation of receipts.
- Travel and other purchases will only be reimbursed to the amounts given in the application form.
It should be noted that if the student fails to complete the course, for which funding has been provided, the charity may seek to reclaim some or all of the costs incurred, directly from the student.
Any student in receipt of sponsorship must:
- Assist with fund publicity, including photographs, writing of articles, biographies, and interviews.
- Attend the annual award ceremony in February or as advised.
- Be willing to have their work published by the Trust through any publishing outlet decided upon by the charity and including the NUJ website and the NUJ’s magazine.
- Produce a report at the end of their course giving a progress report and outlining future goals and aspirations and give information on work placements or job opportunities secured.
- Consider taking up student membership of the National Union of Journalists.
- The charity reserves the right to use all material relating to the charity’s activities including publicity, advertising, written copy, and photographs.
- The Trustees of the George Viner Memorial Fund Trust reserve the right to change any of the above conditions and any rules that govern the administration of the Trust.
- The Trustees decision is final. Once an application has been accepted or declined there is no opportunity to appeal and no adjustments will be made to grant amounts.
Application packs can be downloaded from: https://www.nuj.org.uk/rights/george-viner-memorial-fund/apply-for-a-bursary/