The fellowships (SRF) support in-depth news reports about issues that are often ignored or under-covered by the media. These can include stories that examine the continuing impact of natural disasters, accidents and scandals long after the breaking news cycles.

The program was launched by SAJA shortly after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which was covered worldwide as a natural calamity but which also had tragic consequences that lasted years after the winds and waves receded.

The SRF provides funding support to individual journalists who take the effort and time to conduct in-depth investigations, interviews, on-site visits and report on complex topics relating to South Asia which not covered well by the mainstream media. The grants are intended to reimburse selected journalists for out-of-pocket expenses they incurred while traveling and reporting on the topic.

Since 2004, SAJA has funded more than 20 reporting projects and provided over $100,000 in grants.