A university scholarship scheme held in memory of a British journalist and broadcaster is now open for applicants.

The 2011-12 Fulbright Alistair Cooke Award in Journalism is offered to a student to follow a masters programme in either journalism or a specialist subject leading to a career in journalism at an American university.

Alistair Cooke KBE, who died in 2004, was a journalist famed for his Letter from America broadcasts on BBC Radio 4.

Grants are for a minimum of $25,000 and funding is intended as a contribution towards tuition fees and other living costs while in the USA.

The final award amount will depend on the choices the candidate makes during the university placement process and range from the $25,000 to a fully-funded programme.

Applicants must be a UK citizen and hold or expect to obtain a minimum 2:1 honours undergraduate degree prior to enrolment with the American university.

Preference will be given to candidates who do not have extensive, recent experience in the US and who have completed relevant work experience.

The deadline for applications is 31 May with interviews held in London on 30 June.