Cabot Prize Nominations
Deadline for submissions is March 16, 2012
We invite you to submit nominations for the Maria Moors Cabot prizes, the oldest international awards in journalism, founded in 1938. The prizes recognize a distinguished body of work which has contributed to Inter-American understanding.
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.
The Cabot Prizes Board, comprised of journalists and educators concerned with hemisphere affairs, and headed by the Dean of the Graduate School of Journalism will judge the entries. The Trustees of Columbia University, on the recommendation of the Dean, will choose the winners. The honorees will be announced in the fall and will receive a Cabot medal and a $5,000 honorarium. Special citations may also be awarded. As of 2011, 261 Cabot gold medals and 53 special citations have been conferred.
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.
Uploading Items: ALL materials should be formatted and uploaded as PDFs. Supporting multimedia presentations can be sent on a CD or DVD.
(As indicated below, please upload of each of the following items and mail TWO CDs or DVDs for multimedia presentations.)
- Nominee’s biography and/or CV listing education, journalistic experience and public service, with dates.
- A statement describing how the nominee has contributed towards international understanding in the Western Hemisphere.
- 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 may be 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 submit the completed nomination form and pertinent material. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Individuals can also nominate themselves.
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.
Contact Information
Lisa S. Redd, Associate Director
Laura G. Tejeda, Administrative Assistant
Maria Moors Cabot Prize
Graduate School of Journalism
Columbia University
2950 Broadway MC 3800
New York, NY 10027-7004
Ph: 212-854-7696
Fax: 212-851-7701
cabotprizes@columbia.edu