Dart Center Ochberg Fellowship Program

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

Reporting responsibly and credibly on violence or traumatic events — on street crime and family violence, natural disasters and accidents, war and genocide — is a great challenge. Since 1999 the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, a project of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, has offered the annual Ochberg Fellowships to outstanding journalists interested in exploring these critical issues.

Fellows attend an intensive weeklong program of seminars and discussions 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 other aspects of professional practice; and a host of other opportunities for intellectual engagement and peer learning.

The Ochberg Fellowship covers all travel, accommodations and other expenses directly related to program participation. The program does not cover costs related to health insurance or ground transportation in fellows’ home cities.

Eligibility

Dart Center Ochberg Fellowships are open to outstanding mid-career journalists 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 online reporters, photographers, editors and producers with no fewer than five years’ full-time journalism experience. Approximately half of the Fellowship participants are based in North America, with the balance drawn from Central and South America, Europe, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and the Mideast.

All fellowship seminars are conducted in English. Fellows must be fluent in spoken English to participate in the program. 

Application Deadline and Details

This 2013 online application deadline is October 11, 2013.

The Fellowship program will be held January, 20-25, 2014 at Columbia University in New York City.

Click here to apply now.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are reviewed by a judging committee comprised of Dart Center staff, Fellowship core faculty and past Fellows. Selection is not based on any single factor. Among judges' considerations are 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.

Click here for further fellowship details