The Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship presents an exclusive seminar program designed for experienced senior and mid-career journalists seeking to enhance their understanding of emotional trauma and psychological injury, with a focus on improving their reporting on violence, conflict, and tragedy.
Effectively reporting on traumatic events, spanning street crime, family violence, natural disasters, accidents, war, genocide, pandemic, and social upheaval, poses a significant challenge.
Fully Funded Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship 2024
Since its inception in 1999, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, affiliated with the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, has convened exceptional journalists worldwide to delve into crucial issues surrounding news coverage of violence, trauma, and tragedy.
The fellowship entails an intensive weeklong series of seminars conducted at Columbia University in New York City. Program highlights include briefings by prominent interdisciplinary experts in the trauma and mental health fields, discussions with fellow journalists on ethical considerations, craftsmanship, and practices, along various opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning.
Funding Options
Financial support is available through the Ochberg Fellowship, covering roundtrip travel, seven nights of lodging, meals, and expenses directly related to participation, such as ground transportation.
However, health insurance, additional lodging beyond the fellowship’s duration, or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities are not covered.
Eligibility
- The Ochberg Fellowships offer opportunities to exceptional journalists worldwide, each possessing a minimum of five years of professional journalism experience across various media platforms. The program has historically welcomed a diverse array of Past Fellows, including individuals ranging from small-town and regional general-assignment and crime reporters to war photographers and foreign correspondents contributing to international news organizations.
- The inclusive nature of the fellowship encourages both staff journalists and freelancers to submit applications, with a specific focus on work that showcases journalistic excellence and a proven track record of covering trauma and its impact on individuals, families, or communities.
- It is also open to professionals in print, broadcast, and digital journalism, including reporters, photographers, editors, and producers, the Fellowship seeks individuals with a minimum of five years of professional journalism experience.
- Geographically, the program aims for balanced representation, with approximately half of the Fellows based in North America and the remaining participants drawn from regions such as Latin America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East.
- It’s important to note that all fellowship seminars are conducted in English, and prospective Fellows must be fluent in spoken English to actively engage in the program.
Application Requirements
To submit a completed application, you will need:
A resume/CV, a letter of interest (discussing journalistic work, experiences covering violence and trauma, challenges encountered, and expectations from the fellowship, within two pages), two relevant work samples published or broadcast in the last 24 months, and two letters of recommendation.
Selection Criteria
Applications undergo review by a judging committee, considering factors such as consistent and thoughtful journalistic engagement with issues of violence, conflict, and tragedy, demonstrated excellence and leadership in journalism careers, and potential personal and professional benefits from the fellowship experience.
How to Apply
To apply, click here. For more information about the Fellowship, click here.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is February 21, 2024, at 5:00 pm ET. The fellowship program is scheduled to take place from July 30 to August 5, 2024, at Columbia University in New York City.
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