In the increasingly competitive world of journalism, it takes more than just a well-worded cover letter to stand out in a sea of qualified applicants.

The Associated Press Stylebook updated its entry on user-generated content, offering tips for verifying material, finding the original source, giving credit and more.

Completing fellowship applications can be time-consuming. To avoid having to rush through the process, start preparing for these opportunities ahead of time.

As the conflict in Syria approaches the two-year mark, a group of journalists are aiming to "add greater clarity, deeper understanding, and more sustained engagement to the global conversation."

Now that outstanding journalism is as likely to appear in an interactive map as on the front page, many newsrooms are rethinking how journalists and coders can best work together.

Tips for journalists on Facebook, a look inside the Internet archive, and more are found in this week's Digital Media Mash Up, produced by the Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA).

Interested in learning investigative reporting by working on stories under the guidance of experienced investigative journalists?

As the media industry and the journalism field continue to evolve, what new skills do you plan to learn this year?

Journalists working in the United States, Canada and Mexico can apply for a US$5,000 award.

Pictures of the Year Latam 2013 will accept work from photographers who are citizens of Latin American countries, Spain and Portugal, or have been residents of any of these countries for more than a year.

Journalists who are interested in sharing, expanding and researching public policy and political affairs can apply.

The Sidney Hillman Foundation is seeking nominations for its prizes recognizing journalism produced, published or broadcast in 2012.

The International Center for Journalists seeks pioneering journalists whose work has made an impact on the lives of people in the developing world.

Based in New York, the global business news outlet is accepting applications from journalists who would work from other locations.

Student journalists and recent graduates can apply for a yearlong fellowship.

Professional and amateur photographers can submit photos for a chance to appear in National Geographic.

Journalists can participate in an hour-long webinar offered by the Reynolds Center.

Journalists and Web developers are invited to attend this conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Journalists with experience in business journalism who are fluent in Portuguese and English can apply.

Journalists fluent in Spanish and English can apply.

This program aims to foster quality analysis and reporting in the region.

Financial and business journalists of the federal and regional Russian media can compete in two categories.

Journalists with experience working in a real-time news environment can apply.

Works must have been published or broadcast in Ukrainian or Russian.

Journalists who covered the EU's Erasmus program in 2012 can apply.

Works must have been published in written media, either print or electronic, in any of the official languages of the Spanish territory.

Journalists with at least three years of editorial experience can apply for this position in San Francisco.

Undergraduate and graduate journalism students can apply.

Print, broadcast and online journalists can apply for a nine-month fellowship at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.