By Staff Reporter

The Simon Cumbers Media Fund 2019 Student Scheme is now open for applications from third level students based in the Republic of Ireland and aged over 18 who are interested in reporting on development issues for national media outlets.

The Fund is once again teaming up with Newstalk and TheJournal.ie to offer two students the opportunity to work with experienced journalists to develop their story proposals.

Supported by Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Student Scheme is designed to give students a greater understanding of the developing world.

The winning students will be funded to travel to one of Irish Aid’s key partner countries to research and produce a media project focusing on development issues for the media outlets.

The mentors for this year’s competition are Newstalk producer Susan Cahill and TheJournal.ie deputy news editor Daragh Brophy.

Previous recipients have reported on topics such as the fight against leprosy in Tanzania, the use of contraception in Uganda and female beekeepers in Ethiopia.

Application guidelines for the Student Scheme are available at simoncumbersmediafund.ie. Applications must be submitted onlinethrough the website by 5pm on Friday 22 March.