The Maria Moors Cabot Prize Nominations

Honoring journalistic contributions to inter-American understanding

Nomination Form

Nomination Instructions in Spanish

We invite you to submit nominations for the Maria Moors Cabot Prizes, the oldest international awards in journalism. Since their inception in 1938, the Maria Moors Cabot Prizes have recognized distinguished public service in journalism that has enhanced sympathetic understanding among the peoples of the Western Hemisphere. Founded by the late Godfrey Lowell Cabot of Boston as a memorial to his wife, the Cabot Prizes are awarded each fall to three or four journalists in the Western Hemisphere who, through their sustained and distinguished body of work, have contributed to Inter-American understanding. Occasionally the award is given to an organization that has made a similar contribution.

Who is eligible?

Any journalist and/or news executive who works for any news organization based in the Western Hemisphere or any press association, news service or syndicate that serves such an organization; other individuals, including freelance journalists, with a long record of reporting on the region; all media, including Internet publications.

Entries will be judged by a Cabot Prize Board comprised of journalists and educators concerned with hemisphere affairs, headed by the dean of the Graduate School of Journalism. The prizes are awarded by the Trustees of Columbia University on the recommendation of the dean. Winners are announced in July and are honored at a ceremony held in New York each year in the fall. The awards consist of a Cabot medal and a $5,000 honorarium.

As of 2008, 257 prizes and 55 special citations had been conferred on journalists from the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada, the United States and other nations.

What makes a Cabot winner?

The Cabot Prize Board and the dean look for exceptional and courageous reporting which impacts society and evidence of commitment to important stories over the course of a long and distinguished career. They are particularly interested in hearing about journalists and news organizations that have made a sustained contribution to inter-American understanding through their coverage of the Americas. The Board and the dean are also interested in honoring those journalists who have taken an active role in upholding freedom of the press in the Americas. Although awards have been given to publishers and other managerial personnel, the Board is especially interested in honoring individual journalists.

Checklist of Required Materials:

(As indicated below, please provide TWO paper copies of each of the following items and TWO CDs containing digital copies)

• TWO paper copies of the nominee’s biography and/or CV listing education, journalistic experience and public service, with dates,
• TWO CDs with digital copies of all of the documents listed below in Word or pdf format,
• TWO paper copies of a statement describing how the nominee has contributed towards international understanding in the Western Hemisphere,
• TWO paper copies of at least five but no more than ten (without prior authorization) newspaper or magazine articles, television or radio programs or internet stories that are representative of the nominee’s work.
  Printer-friendly versions on standard 8.5 x 11 paper are encouraged. Please avoid elaborate portfolios, as nominees may be considered again in some future year. Whenever possible, include copies of the articles on the CDs being submitted,
• TWO copies of each book submitted for consideration, if applicable,
• TWO copies of each DVD for broadcast/video entries or CD for radio entries.

If you know of a journalist or media organization that deserves to be recognized, please send us the completed nomination form and pertinent material. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Individuals can also nominate themselves.

Nomination Form

Nomination Form

Nominations must be signed by the person submitting the nomination. Two to three letters from third parties that explain why the nominee is especially deserving of the prize are also welcome. Supporting material will not be returned.

The DEADLINE for submissions is March 2; please note that materials must arrive by March 2, this is not a post mark date.

Two complete sets of the nomination forms and all pertinent material should be mailed to:

Maria Moors Cabot Prize
Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University
2950 Broadway MC 3800
New York, NY 10027-7004

Questions? Contact:
Lisa Sara Redd
Program Manager
Phone: (212) 854-6468
Email: cabotprizes@columbia.edu