Deadline: March 2, 2026
The Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious international fellowship designed to support journalists, authors, and writers working on original projects that strengthen understanding between the United States and China. With funding of up to US$10,000, this fellowship provides recipients with the resources needed to research, write, and publish impactful work for public audiences.
The Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 is administered by the East-West Center and supported by the Melvin M.S. Goo Memorial Fund. It continues the legacy of cross-cultural journalism championed by Melvin M.S. Goo throughout his distinguished career.
About the Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026
The fellowship honours the life and work of Melvin M.S. Goo, a veteran journalist whose career spanned more than three decades across the United States and Asia. Born in Macau and educated in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, he held senior editorial roles, including Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News. His work consistently focused on thoughtful, balanced reporting and fostering mutual understanding across cultures.
In this spirit, the fellowship supports writing projects that provide nuanced insights into U.S.–China relations and related social, cultural, and economic issues.
Fellowship Benefits
- Award amount: Up to US$10,000 per fellow
- Financial support to research, develop, and complete an original writing project
- Opportunity to publish or distribute work to public audiences in the United States and/or China
The fellowship funding may also be used to support project-related travel, although travel is encouraged but not required.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 must meet the following requirements:
- Be a national or permanent resident of the United States or the People’s Republic of China, including the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions
- Be an individual journalist, author, or writer
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to producing work that promotes greater understanding between the people of the United States and China
Applicants are considered without regard to ethnicity, cultural background, or ancestry.
Project Requirements
Proposed projects must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be original and unpublished at the time of application
- Be written in English or a Chinese language variety (projects in Chinese must include an English translation; applications must be submitted in English)
- Be intended for public access, including publication or distribution in print, online platforms, or other public media in the United States and/or China
- Be completed and delivered by December 2026
Projects should be well-researched, clearly structured, and suitable for broad public audiences.
Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of experienced journalism professionals and U.S.–China experts. Proposals are evaluated based on:
- The project’s ability to promote better understanding between the United States and China
- Focus on underreported or overlooked issues, including social, cultural, and economic themes
- Potential reach and influence of the intended audience
- Quality, diversity, and credibility of sources
- Overall creativity, clarity, and impact of the proposed work
Projects that rely on divisive or inflammatory rhetoric that conflicts with the fellowship’s mission are not supported.
Application Requirements
A complete application for the Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship 2026 typically includes:
- A completed online application form
- A project proposal of up to six pages outlining the project concept, objectives, narrative approach, timeline, target audience, and intended impact
- A curriculum vitae or résumé (maximum two pages)
- Three representative samples of previous work
- Two professional references, including letters of recommendation
A statement of commitment from a prospective publisher or distributor is recommended but not required and may strengthen the application.
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 2 March 2026
- Project completion deadline: December 2026
Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing materials early to ensure a strong and complete submission.
Apply and Learn More
Contact us for proposal drafting, refinning and review to get professional support with developing, refining, and reviewing your fellowship application before submission.
