Global Health Outreach Projects

Submissions for the 2024 Global Health Outreach Projects are now open. Deadline: March 24, 2024.

Background 

McGill Global Health Outreach Projects offer opportunities for McGill undergraduate and graduate students to learn about global health through various media, journalism and publishing initiatives. Selected students will have the chance to lead publications within McGill Global Health Programs (GHP) - including the McGill Journal of Global Health and the McGill Perspectives on Global Health blog - or carry out a Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship on a global health topic. Selected individuals will receive funding and will access a variety of training and networking opportunities organized by GHP throughout the academic year, including GHP’s annual Global Health Night and other opportunities.

Key Dates

  • Launch of the call for student applications: February 15, 2024
  • Information Sessions (watch the recordings below)
    • Journal and Blog: February 28, 2024, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
    • Pulitzer Fellowship: February 29, 2024, 12:00-1:00 PM ET
  • Application Deadline: March 24, 2024, 11:59 PM
  • Announcement of results: April 12, 2024

Program Timeline

  • Orientation Meeting: May 2024 (date TBD)
  • GHP Journal and Perspectives Outreach Projects: May 2024 - April 2025
  • Global Health Night: November 2024
  • Final Report and Survey: May 2025

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to participate in a 2024-25 Global Health Outreach Project, students must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at McGill.
  • Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply.
  • Must not be graduating in May/June 2024.
  • Eligibility for the 2024-25 Global Health Outreach Projects cohort is open to students who have previously participated in a cohort.
  • For the Editor-in-Chief positions, must be based onsite in Montreal for the fall 2024 and winter 2025 semesters.
  • Individuals may only receive the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship once and cannot reapply for it.

Funding 

  • Students who are awarded the Editor-in-Chief positions with the McGill Journal of Global Health or McGill Perspective on Global Health will receive a stipend of $2,000 CAD. The stipend will be paid in two installments: 50% in September 2024 and the remaining 50% in March 2025.
  • The student selected for the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship will receive a stipend of $3,000 USD.

Terms of Participation - All Outreach Projects

Students selected to participate in 2024 Global Health Outreach Projects must agree to the following terms:

  • The Global Health Outreach Projects cohort members are encouraged to enroll in at least one of the following courses in the academic year unless they have already taken one of them: 1) Interprofessional Global Health Course; or 2) PPHS 511 - Fundamentals of Global Health .
  • The Global Health Outreach Projects cohort must attend and present a poster at McGill's Global Health Night, to be held in November 2024 in Montreal (exact date to be announced).
  • The Global Health Outreach Projects cohort must communicate with their GHP supervisor regularly before, during and after their project.
  • Participation will be recorded as part of the student’s McGill Co-Curricular Record.

Additional Terms of Participation – Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship

The Pulitzer Reporting Fellowship must cover a global health topic. Given that the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship entails international travel, the student selected for the Fellowship must agree to the following additional terms:

  • Students must complete the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) online pre-departure training at least 4 weeks before departure. The GHP office will arrange access to the course.
  • Students must comply with McGill travel guidelines
  • Students must register their itinerary via the McGill Student Travel Registry at least 4 weeks before departure.
  • Students must regularly monitor their McGill email address while abroad. This is the primary way we communicate with students.
  • The selected Pulitzer Fellow is not eligible to apply for a GHP Travel Award for travel related to their Pulitzer Fellowship project.

Information Session

We held two separate information sessions for the Global Health Outreach Projects Program:

  • For the Journal and Blog Editor-in-Chief Positions:

  • For the Pulitzer Fellowship:

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the online information sessions. While the session will be recorded and posted, this is a great opportunity to ask your questions about the program.

2024 Outreach Projects:

Editor-in-Chief, McGill Perspectives on Global Health Online Publication - Global Health Programs

Location:

Montreal

Project Summary:

GHP recruits and supports the Editor-in-Chief of McGill Perspectives on Global Health, a student-run online platform that publishes content written by McGill students and the greater McGill Community.

Key tasks for the Editor-in-Chief include:

  • Managing all aspects of the publication, including submissions, editing, publishing, website management and social media.
  • Publishing two to four posts per month.
  • Reviewing and updating submission eligibility requirements as needed.
  • Recruiting and managing a volunteer editorial board.
  • Increasing readership by publicizing the publication beyond its current networks.
  • Developing a regular schedule for the Perspectives newsletter and social media posts.
  • Organizing events related to publicity and article solicitation.
  • Assisting in onboarding the next Editor-in-Chief during Spring and Summer 2025.

Candidate Preferences:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills are required.
  • Previous experience with managing websites and social media is a preference.
  • Previous work or volunteer experience in global health is an asset.

Internship Timeline:

May 2024 - April 2025

Editor-in-Chief, The McGill Journal of Global Health - Global Health Programs

Location:

Montreal

Project Summary:

GHP recruits and supports the Editor-in-chief for the McGill Journal of Global Health (MJGH). The MJGH is a student-run journal that publishes academic research that focuses on the intersectionality of social, biomedical, global, and community perspectives in health. The journal publishes one print edition each year in the spring.

Key tasks for the Editor-in-Chief include:

  • Managing all aspects of the journal, including print, digital, and social media.
  • Developing eligibility requirements, recruiting, and managing editorial board volunteers.
  • Providing leadership to the team and divide work fairly amongst volunteer editors.
  • Coordinating the call for submissions process: including setting eligibility requirements, class call-out and advertising schedule, and tracking of submitted articles.
  • Creating and executing a schedule of online article publications.
  • Managing the annual budget for the MJGH.
  • Publicizing the journal both within and outside of existing networks.
  • Developing and nurturing relationships between the MJGH and the greater McGill community.
  • Organizing any events related to the publicity of published work or solicitation of articles, including a journal launch event in the spring for the print edition.
  • Curating the MJGH social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) with interesting global health content and keep the MJGH website updated.
  • *For the 2024-25 cycle, the Editor-in-Chief will collaborate with the McGill GHP team to continue to oversee the migration of the online journal from its current WordPress platform to the Open Journal Systems (OJS). The OJS platform will not only handle publishing but will also manage the article submission and review process. For more information on the platform, please visit the McGill Library Scholarly publishing section.
  • Helping onboard the next Journal Editor-in-Chief over the Spring and Summer of 2025.

Candidate Preferences:

  • Excellent writing and editing skills are required.
  • Previous experience working on a student-led academic journal is preferred.
  • Previous work or volunteer experience in global health is an asset.

Internship Timeline:

May 2024 - April 2025

2024 Pulitzer Center Student Reporting Fellowship

Location:

Chosen by the student

Project Summary:

The Pulitzer Center provides fellowships to students at Campus Consortium partners, including McGill University, to undertake global reporting projects. Students submit project proposals in their applications. Once a fellowship is awarded, Pulitzer Center editors and journalists guide the student throughout the process. Final projects are showcased on the Pulitzer Center website and, in some cases, other news media outlets. Students are encouraged to produce work in various media such as articles, videos, and photo essays. The Pulitzer Center is interested in reporting projects that focus on topics and regions of global importance, with an emphasis on issues that have gone unreported or under-reported in the mainstream American media.

The Pulitzer Center's definition of "crisis" is broad - it is not limited to "conflict" reporting. They see great value in covering the too often under-reported systemic level crises, from environmental, global health, and women and children's issues to struggles for resources, human rights abuses, post-conflict reconstruction, or peace and conflict. They are interested in the stories that would typically not make the headlines without the Center's support. In the context of McGill's Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship, the project must cover a global health topic.

Travel is encouraged to take place between May and August 2024, though travel can be completed as late as December 2024 if the rationale as to why the project can not be completed in the summer is statedin the essay. If it is not feasible or safe for Reporting Fellows to travel, they may choose to report remotely or locally.

Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellows join an extensive network of journalists, educators, and Fellow alums. Each Fellow receives support throughout the reporting process from a professional journalist grantee with significant expertisen in the Fellow’s topic or reporting location. The Pulitzer Center hosts an annual Fellows weekend in Washington, D.C., to expose students (and their professors) to the work of other Fellows, provide an opportunity to network with professional journalists and editors, and further broaden horizons.

Students should review the information on the Pulitzer Center website Apply through Global Health Programs.

Please note that students apply for this Fellowship via a form separate from the one for the Editor-in-Chief positions.

How to apply

For Editor-in-Chief positions (McGill Perspectives on Global Health and McGill Journal of Global Health)

In addition to completing the application form, please submit all the following documentation in one combined PDF file:

  • Essay
  • CV
  • Copy of your McGill unofficial transcript - include the current term, even if grades have not been assigned.
  • Two Writing Samples (single-authored pieces are strongly preferred)

Essay Guidelines

  • Max 3 pages, 11-point font, single-spaced
  • Your essay should respond to the following questions (1-4):
  1. Students can select up to two projects to apply to for this program. Explain your interest in the projects you selected. If you selected more than one project, which are you the most interested in?
  2. How do your past experiences and interests make you a good match for the project(s) you selected?
  3. How will working on this project help you advance your academic and career goals?
  4. The education components of our program require students to attend several events, course(s) or seminars during the academic year, as outlined in the Conditions for Participation section of the GH Outreach Projects main page. Given the time commitment, are you able to complete the program from start to finish?


Writing Sample and Proposal Guidelines

  • Please submit two writing samples in the same PDF as your Essay, CV, and transcript.

Editor-in-Chief Application form

Application materials should be submitted via the Global Health Outreach Projects application form (the link opens a new window).

For the Pulitzer Center Fellowship

In the application form, you will be asked to submit the following in one combined PDF file

  • a short description of your proposed project (250 words or less). This is the most important piece—what do you want to report on? What questions are you asking? Who will you be talking to? Why does this story matter?
  • a preliminary TOTAL budget estimate

Please use the following format

Airfare: $600

Food: $300

Accommodation: $500

Records request: $50

Translator: $200

___________________: $_________

___________________: $________

Total: $_________

  • Your CV
  • 2-3 recent samples of your work written and/or multimedia examples (you can include links)

You will also be asked to provide

  • The name and contact information for three references, including a Faculty member
  • Your approximate travel dates and itinerary
  • a summary of any existing reporting on your topic
  • Transcripts are not required for the Pulitzer application

Pulitzer Center Student Fellowship Application form

Application materials should be submitted via the Pulitzer Center Student Fellowship application form (the link opens a new window).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Global Health Outreach Projects?

McGill Global Health Outreach Projects provide opportunities for McGill undergraduate and graduate students to learn about global health through a variety of media, journalism and publishing initiatives. Selected students will have the unique opportunity to spearhead publications within McGill Global Health Programs (GHP) - including the McGill Journal of Global Health and the McGill Perspectives on Global Health blog - or carry out a Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship. Selected individuals will receive funding and will benefit from a variety of training and networking opportunities organized by GHP throughout the academic year, including GHP’s annual Global Health Night and other opportunities.

What kinds of students are selected?

In general, we look for students who are passionate about global health and possess excellent writing and editing skills. We look for students who see value in learning a wide range of skills, who possess humility, and who demonstrate the ability to be self-reflective. Previous experience managing websites and social media, and/or volunteer experience in global health are assets.

Do I need to have previous global health experience?

No! Students are not required to have any prior global health experience to apply to the program.

Is there a minimal GPA to apply?

No! There is no minimum GPA.

I have not taken either the Interprofessional Global Health Course or PPHS 511 - Fundamentals of Global Health. Can I still apply?

Yes! The Global Health Outreach Projects cohort is encouraged to enroll in at least one of the following courses in the academic year unless they have already taken one of them: 1) Interprofessional Global Health Course; or 2) PPHS 511 - Fundamentals of Global Health .

I'm not studying health or science, can I still apply?

All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for the Global Health Outreach Projects as long as they do not graduate in May/June 2024. There is no program restriction.

Do students receive funding?

Yes! Students awarded the Editor-in-Chief positions with the McGill Journal of Global Health or the Perspective on Global Health will receive a stipend of $2,000 CAD. The student selected for the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship will receive a stipend of $3,000 USD.

When will funds be distributed to selected Scholars?

For the Editor in Chief positions, the selected students will receive compensation of $1,000 in September 2024 and $1,000 upon successful completion of their project in March 2025. For the Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellowship, the selected student will receive their funding directly from the Pulitzer Center.

Will my participation in the Global Health Outreach Projects program show up on my transcript?

Upon completing this program, participation in this project will be part of the student’s McGill Co-Curricular Record.

What is the time commitment for these positions?

For both positions, the time commitment will vary for anywhere from 4 to 10 hours per week. For the McGill Journal of Global Health, there is a bigger time commitment around March/April to prepare the launch of the print edition (including the launch party!).

Is there an online information session for the 2024 Global Health Outreach Projects?

Yes, we will host two online information sessions: one for the Journal and Perspectives positions on Feb 28, 2024, from 12 noon to 1pm ET, and one for the Pulitzer Fellowship on Feb 29 2024, from 12 noon to 1pm ET. You will need to register to receive the link. If you are not able to attend, we will post a recording.

What do I need to apply?

In addition to completing the application form, you would need to submit an essay, CV, a copy of your unofficial transcript - including the current term, even if grades have not been assigned, and two writing Samples (single-authored pieces are strongly preferred). You'll find details in the “How to apply" section of this page.

How do I turn my unofficial transcript into a PDF file?

You can create a PDF version of your unofficial transcript by choosing the "Print" option in your web browser and then choosing “Save as PDF” or “Print to PDF”.

How should I format my essay?

As long as you follow the essay guidelines in the "How to apply" section on the main Scholars page, you can format your essay as you want. As students with excellent writing and editing skills are sought, it's worth spending some time writing and reviewing your essay to demonstrate these skills!

Can I apply to multiple Outreach Projects, and do I have to write multiple essays?

Yes! You can apply to all projects. It is up to you if you want to write one or two essays. Whatever you choose, the page limit for each essay is still 3 pages and should comply with the essay guidelines provided in the Application section. If you are applying for both Editor-in-Chief positions, you should still provide two (not four) writing samples.

For the Pulitzer Fellowship, can I go anywhere in the world for my project?

GHP only supports travel to countries and regions with a Government of Canada travel advisory risk level of Level-1 (“take normal security precautions”) or Level-2 (“exercise a high degree of caution”). Following McGill’s International Mobility Guidelines, students are not permitted to travel to or through countries or regions with a Government of Canada travel advisory risk level of Level-3 (“Avoid all non-essential travel”) or Level-4 (“Avoid all travel”). Check the latest Government of Canada travel advisories.

I have a question that is not answered here. Who should I contact?

Please send any additional inquiries to studentaffairsghp.med [at] mcgill.ca.

    McGill GHP Logo (McGill crest separated by a vertical bar from a purple globe and a partial arc with "McGill Global health Programs" in English & French)

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