Apply for the 2027 Ochberg Fellowship in Paris. The journalism fellowship is open globally to experienced journalists and covers travel, accommodation, meals and related expenses.
The Ochberg Fellowship 2027 is inviting applications from experienced journalists around the world who want to strengthen their understanding of emotional trauma and psychological injury and improve their reporting on violence, conflict and tragedy.
Organized by the Global Center for Journalism & Trauma (GCJT), the intensive fellowship will take place in Paris, France, from March 22–27, 2027.
The program covers major participation expenses, including roundtrip airfare, six nights of hotel accommodation, meals and a stipend for ground transportation, visa and other related expenses.
Ochberg Fellowship 2027: Opportunity Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Ochberg Fellowship 2027 |
| Organizer | Global Center for Journalism & Trauma |
| Location | Paris, France |
| Program dates | March 22–27, 2027 |
| Duration | One intensive week |
| Eligible applicants | Journalists from any part of the world |
| Experience required | At least 5 years of professional journalism experience |
| Media | Print, broadcast and digital |
| Funding | Travel, accommodation, meals and specified related expenses |
| Application deadline | October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET |
| Recommendation deadline | October 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET |
What Is the Ochberg Fellowship?
The Ochberg Fellowship is a seminar program designed for senior and mid-career journalists who want to deepen their knowledge of trauma and psychological injury and improve how they report on violence, conflict and tragedy.
The program brings journalists together with interdisciplinary experts in trauma and mental health, as well as other journalists to discuss ethics, reporting practice, craft and related issues.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to outstanding journalists from any part of the world who have at least five years of professional journalism experience. Both staff journalists and freelancers can apply.
Eligible professional backgrounds include:
- Print journalists
- Broadcast journalists
- Digital reporters
- Photographers
- Editors
- Producers
- Freelance journalists
- Staff journalists
Applicants should also demonstrate journalistic excellence and a strong record of covering trauma and its impact on individuals, families or communities.
Because the seminars are conducted in English, applicants must be fluent in spoken English.
What Does the Fellowship Cover?
The 2027 Ochberg Fellowship provides substantial support for selected fellows.
According to the official announcement, the program covers:
- Roundtrip air travel to Paris
- Six nights of hotel accommodation
- All meals
- A stipend for ground transportation
- Visa expenses
- Other related expenses
The fellowship takes place at Reid Hall in Paris, with the application page also identifying the Columbia Global Center in Paris as the program location.
What Will Fellows Do?
Fellows participate in an intensive week of seminars and professional discussions.
Activities include:
- Briefings from interdisciplinary trauma and mental health experts
- Discussions with fellow journalists
- Conversations about journalism ethics
- Exploration of reporting craft and practice
- Peer learning
- Intellectual engagement around trauma, violence and journalism
The fellowship is particularly relevant to journalists covering subjects such as violence, conflict, disasters, war, tragedy and their aftermath.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit several materials to complete their application.
1. Resume or CV
Applicants need to provide an updated Resume/CV.
2. Letter of Interest
The letter should explain the applicant’s journalism background, experience covering violence and trauma, challenges encountered, significant experiences that shaped their professional outlook, and what they hope to gain from the fellowship.
The letter must be no more than two pages.
3. Two Relevant Work Samples
Applicants must submit two relevant work samples published or broadcast within the previous 24 months by a professional news outlet.
Personal websites do not qualify as the publication outlet for these samples.
If the samples are not in English, applicants must provide the original-language versions and English translations. For non-English audio, video or multimedia submissions, a translated transcript may be provided.
4. Two Recommendation Letters
Applicants provide the email addresses of two recommenders. Submittable will contact the recommenders directly.
Recommendation letters must be submitted by October 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
How Competitive Is the Fellowship?
Opportunities Feed assessment: This is a selective fellowship. The official announcement states that the judging committee expects to select 12–14 fellows for 2027. Applications are reviewed by GCJT staff, faculty and past Fellows.
The selection process considers applicants’ journalism engagement with violence, conflict, tragedy and their aftermath, journalistic excellence and leadership, as well as whether applicants are likely to benefit from and contribute to the fellowship community. Geographic and other forms of diversity may also be considered.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Applicants can improve the clarity of their application by:
- Choosing work samples that directly demonstrate experience covering trauma or its effects.
- Clearly explaining their professional journalism journey.
- Using the letter of interest to describe specific reporting challenges and lessons.
- Selecting recommenders who can speak meaningfully about their journalism.
- Checking that all work samples meet the 24-month publication requirement.
- Preparing English translations where required.
- Submitting the application before the deadline rather than waiting until the final hours.
Application Deadline
The main application deadline is:
October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Late applications will not be accepted.
Recommendation letters have a later deadline of:
October 27, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Fellowship Dates
The 2027 Ochberg Fellowship will be held:
March 22–27, 2027
Location: Paris, France.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through the official application platform.
Official application:
Apply for the 2027 Ochberg Fellowship
Applicants should carefully review the official requirements before submitting their materials.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applications are reviewed by a judging committee made up of GCJT staff, Fellowship faculty and past Fellows. The committee selects 12–14 fellows for the 2027 program, with selected applicants notified through Submittable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Ochberg Fellowship?
The fellowship is open to journalists worldwide with at least five years of professional journalism experience and a strong record of covering trauma and its effects.
Is the Ochberg Fellowship open to freelancers?
Yes. Both staff journalists and freelancers are eligible to apply.
How many years of journalism experience are required?
Applicants need at least five years of professional journalism experience.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
The program covers roundtrip air travel, six nights of hotel accommodation, all meals and a stipend for ground transportation, visa and other related expenses.
Where will the fellowship take place?
The 2027 fellowship will take place in Paris, France from March 22–27, 2027.
When is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by October 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
How many fellows will be selected?
The judging committee plans to select 12–14 fellows for 2027.
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