Many Voices Prize

About the Prize:

The Many Voices Prize was established by Prof. Elizabeth Stone, adviser to The Observer from 1981 – 2015. Read Elizabeth’s own words about why she established this prize. 

    Advising The Observer was truly the most gratifying part of my years at Fordham. I got as much as I gave, and maybe more, traveling through time with 35 generations of contributors and editors during years that were often joyful, sometimes sobering, and always meaningful.

   Through the years, each generation of editors and staff has left its own byline on an exceptional college publication.  Each generation embraced innovation, let go of what no longer served, and deepened the parts of its culture and traditions that anchored it and provided for its continuity.  Each of these impulses has contributed to its strength and excellence.

  My intention with this prize, which is to be awarded annually as long as The Observer exists, is to nourish that strength and excellence. Journalism is at its best in when it is most inclusive of diverse voices, and so this prize will go to students who are first in their family to attend college or who belong to other groups historically underrepresented in higher education, and who have contributed a minimum of three non-fiction articles or equivalent creative work to The Observer.  

    My two hopes are these:  first, that this annual prize will bring to The Observer new and underrepresented voices—that of students who in their work will share perspectives, interests and concerns that otherwise might go unshared. My second hope is that fund-raising and  alumni contributions will be added to the gift, allowing for larger and/or additional prizes in the years to come.

Number of Awards

One $1500 prize or up to three $500 prizes to be granted in 2023

Criteria for Awarding Winners

The prize will be awarded to the writer or writers  who best exemplify the Many Voice Prize mission: To nourish and support excellence in journalism through bringing to The Observer new and underrepresented voices—that of students who in their work will share perspectives, interests and concerns that otherwise might go unshared

Eligibility

• Applicants must self-identify first-generation college students (an individual who is in the first generation of their immediate or extended family to attend college) and/or as members of historically underrepresented groups (including but not limited to Black, Latinx, Asian or Pacific Islander, Indigenous, LGBTQIA+)
• Applicants must be current undergraduate students at Fordham University. 
• Applicants are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress during the application period and during the academic year in which the prize is awarded.
• Applicants must complete and submit the application by March 10, 2023

Application Criteria 

• Applicants must submit proof of submission OR PROOF OF INTENT TO PUBLISH of three nonfiction articles, essays, or multimedia/digital packages.

• Applicants must submit a brief personal statement (1 to 2 pages, double spaced) which can cover anything relevant that the prize’s advisory board should know about you, or ANY of the following topics:
  • Introduce yourself and your background and your interest in The Observer.
  • What attracts you to the industry?
  • The Many Voices Prize is intended to support and amplify the voices of historically underrepresented aspiring journalists and writers. How would you make best use of the resources the Prize offers?  In addition to the resources that the Prize offers, are there other things that you feel you would need to make the most of the opportunity? 
  • What are your short-term goals for your engagement with The Observer and the journalism profession once you receive the award?
  • What is your longer-term vision for your work and role in journalism?
  • What do you feel you can uniquely contribute to the field?
  • What would it mean if the media were to truly embrace racial equity, and how do you believe your participation in the Many Voices Prize could help?

Applicants must complete and submit the application by March 10, 2023. Prize winners will be selected and notified in late April 2023.