Columbia University Ochberg Fellowship for Journalists Worldwide 2017/2018. Fully-funded to New York

The Ochberg Fellowship is the Dart Center’s flagship program for veteran and mid-career journalists who wish to deepen their knowledge of emotional trauma and psychological injury, and improve reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.

Application Deadline: 22nd September, 2017.

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: Countries in Central and South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East.

To be taken at (country): Columbia University in New York City, USA.

Eligible Fields: Reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.

About the Award: The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship is a unique seminar program for veteran and mid-career journalists who wish to deepen their knowledge of emotional trauma and psychological injury, and improve reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.

The Fellowship is led by a core faculty of prominent journalists and mental health professionals associated with the Dart Center, along with a visiting faculty.

Reporting responsibly and credibly on violence or traumatic events — on street crime and family violence, natural disasters and accidents, war and genocide — is a major challenge. The Ochberg Fellowship enables outstanding journalists from around the globe to explore these critical issues during a week of seminars held at Columbia University in New York City. Program activities include briefings by prominent interdisciplinary experts in the trauma and mental health fields; conversations with journalist colleagues on issues of ethics and craft; and a variety of other opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning.

Offered Since: 1998

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: 

• The Ochberg Fellowships are open to outstanding journalists (with at least five years experience) working across all media.
• Past Fellows have ranged from small-town and regional general-assignment and crime reporters to war photographers and foreign correspondents for international news organizations. Applicants’ work must demonstrate journalistic excellence and a strong track record of covering violence and its impact on individuals, families or communities.
• Fellowships are open to print, broadcast and digital reporters, photographers, editors and producers with at least five years of professional journalism experience are eligible to apply. Approximately half of the Fellows will be based in North America, with the balance drawn from Central and South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East.
• All fellowship seminars are conducted in English. Fellows must be fluent in spoken English to participate in the program.

Selection Criteria: Participants are reviewed by a judging committee comprised of Dart Center staff, Fellowship faculty and past Fellows. Selection is not based on any single factor. Judges’ consider a variety of factors, with an emphasis on whether applicants:

• demonstrate consistent and thoughtful journalistic engagement with issues of violence, conflict, tragedy and their aftermath;
• have demonstrated journalistic excellence and leadership;
• will likely benefit personally and professionally from the Fellowship experience and contribute meaningfully to the program.

Other considerations may include geographic and other diversity, and overall group composition.

The judging committee will review applications and select 12 fellows for 2016-2017. Selected fellows will be notified by email in early-November.

Number of Awardees: Several

Value of Programme: The Ochberg Fellowship covers roundtrip travel, lodging, meals and expenses directly related to participation. The program does not cover travel or health insurance, additional nights of lodging beyond the Fellowship’s duration or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities.

Fellows attend an intensive weeklong program of seminars held at Columbia University in New York City. Program activities include briefings by prominent interdisciplinary experts in the trauma and mental health fields; conversations with journalist colleagues on issues of ethics, craft and practice, and and a variety of other opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning.

Duration of Programme: The program will be held from January 15 – 20, 2018

How to Apply: Click here to apply.

Visit Programme Webpage for details

Award Provider: The Dart Center for Trauma in Journalism