OCCRP Research and Data Team Fellowship
Applications are open for the OCCRP Research and Data Team Fellowship 2023. OCCRP research and data teams in partnership with Opening Extractives have combined forces and are thrilled to announce their first-ever Research and Data Fellowship Program! Anyone who is excited about investigative journalism and wants to take a step forward is free to apply. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner eager to dive into data journalism, someone looking to enhance their OSINT skills or an experienced researcher.
As part of their Opening Extractives programme, Open Ownership and the Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) International Secretariat is in partnership to sponsor three fellows from the following countries: Armenia, Ecuador, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Zambia. These fellows will be selected in collaboration with the Opening Extractives team, and will need to pitch a project that looks into company ownership, and/or makes use of publicly available beneficial ownership data relating to the extractive sector.
Details of the OCCRP Research and Data Team Fellowship include:
- An 8-week hybrid program; kick-off is in person Nov. 1-12 at OCCRP’s global HQ in Amsterdam
- 6-8 fellows will be selected; each fellow will be paired with a mentor from the R&D Team and together we’ll focus on honing your data and research skills while developing a story idea
- 3 fellows will be chosen specifically from the countries of Armenia, Ecuador, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Zambia (see details below); the remaining 3-5 fellows will be chosen from any country
- For the grand finale, you’ll get to participate in a separate OCCRP event scheduled for Nov. 11-12: OCCRP’s first hackathon!
Benefits of the research and data team fellowship
- Your travel, visa, and accommodation will be covered by Opening Extractives and OCCRP
- A small stipend for the kickoff session in Amsterdam will be provided
- You will work in the OCCRP office space with members of the R&D Team and other OCCRP staff.
- The first 10 days in Amsterdam will be dedicated to training sessions on the OSINT and data tools, databases, and techniques used at OCCRP.
- You’ll get to meet the team and be paired with a mentor to help you make the most of your time in Amsterdam.
- The OCCRP team will work closely with you to scope out your project idea and help come up with a development plan.
- Depending on your project, they might also pull in research or tech experts outside of OCCRP to share their knowledge and coach you on a specific tool or technique.
- During the last weekend of the in-person period, all participants will attend the inaugural OCCRP Hackathon in Amsterdam. It’ll be two days packed full of fun data and research projects, teamwork, networking, and — of course — free pizza.
- After you leave, you have the opportunity to work remotely with the team to finalize your story idea and, hopefully, shape it into something you can pitch to a media
You can also apply for an OIST Internship in Japan in 2024
Eligibility for the research and data team fellowship
- The application is open to anyone who is excited about investigative journalism.
- Application is open to individuals from all countries however, 3 fellows will be chosen specifically from the countries of Armenia, Ecuador, Ghana, Mongolia, Nigeria, Philippines, and Zambia; the remaining 3-5 fellows will be chosen from any country.
Application closes Friday, September 29, 2023
How to Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and are open until Friday, September 29. If you require a visa to travel to the Netherlands, please apply as soon as possible, as this process takes time.
In the application form, please submit a project idea you want to work on with our support during the fellowship. This is the most important part of your application. It needs to be a journalistic story idea with a strong OSINT, research, or data aspect. It should be complex enough to keep you busy for two months, but not too ambitious — our goal is to get the story published. You are not expected to have a (technical) solution for all the problems involved in your project, but need a good idea that can be strategized. All story ideas will be kept confidential.
Click here to apply
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