The Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award commemorates the distinguished career of Elizabeth O'Neill OAM who died in service of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Indonesia on 7 March 2007. The award builds on her tireless work to foster mutual understanding of Australia and Indonesia through accurate and informed media coverage.

The Elizabeth O'Neill Journalism Award is awarded to one journalist from Indonesia and one from Australia each year. The award is open to high-achieving journalists from print, radio, television and online media organisations at any stage of their career.

Program

Award recipients spend up to two weeks in Indonesia/Australia on a fully funded program coordinated by the Australia-Indonesia Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and supported by the Australian Embassy in Jakarta. Programs for successful candidates are developed to build a stronger understanding and appreciation of the broad range of issues facing contemporary Indonesia and Australia.

Programs are tailored to the journalist's area of expertise and reporting responsibilities in such areas as foreign and trade policy, development assistance, people-to-people links and education and include a stay in the country's capital city (Jakarta/Canberra) with visits to at least another province/state/territory of the country visited.

During a typical program meetings may include:

• local media organisations, both commercial and government-owned
• a reciprocal visit to the employer of the host country participant
• academic institutions, including those with specialist journalism and communications courses
• media industry regulators and umbrella organisations
• government and parliamentary officials and access to ministers (where possible)
• leading civil society and NGO figures.

Award conditions

The award covers:

• business class international airfares and domestic transfers from the participant's home city
• accommodation, internal transport, vaccinations, visas, travel insurance and meal allowances.

The award does not cover the cost of travel for dependents, translators, a cameraperson or other technical support people; additional baggage or other airline offerings. Successful applicants must have an up-to-date passport with at least six months validity from date of departure.

Call for applications – May 2023

The application period for the 2023 Elizabeth O’Neill Journalism awards is now open.

In 2023, one Australian and one Indonesian candidate will receive the award.

To apply:

Please submit an expression of interest no more than 300 words in length identifying your areas of interest and why you are the best candidate for the award to the Australia-Indonesia Institute (AII) Secretariat via email ausindonesia.institute@dfat.gov.au

Applications will close at 5pm AEDT on Sunday 19 March 2023.

For any questions please also contact the AII Secretariat via email.

Successful awardees are expected to be notified in early April 2023.