OPC Foundation 2026 Scholar Awards
On March 25, 2026, the Overseas Press Club Foundation held its annual Scholar Awards celebration at Bloomberg bringing together about 150 family, friends and industry supporters to honor 18 outstanding young journalists at the start of their international reporting careers.
The evening opened with welcoming remarks from Laura Zelenko, Senior Executive Editor at Bloomberg and a founder of a Rob Urban Award for reporting in Central & Eastern Europe, followed by opening remarks from OPC Foundation President John Daniszewski, who framed the moment as both a beginning and a call to purpose.
“Today is opening day!” Daniszewski said. “It is opening day for the baseball season, and it is also the opening day in the careers of 18 OPC Foundation scholarship winners.” Like any opening day in spring, he noted, the moment carried “expectation, hope, maybe some nervousness,” as the scholars stand “on the cusp of great things.”
Daniszewski reflected on the increasingly complex global landscape that these young journalists are entering, describing it as “a concerning, even a perilous time, for journalism,” citing growing threats to press freedom, the spread of misinformation and mounting pressures on independent reporting worldwide.
At the same time, he struck a note of optimism, pointing to the strength of the next generation. “The quality of journalism being created right now stands up against any of the great journalism of the past,” he said, highlighting the scholars’ ability to combine innovative storytelling tools with the enduring values of “accuracy, fairness and objectivity.”
Laura Zelenko with Rob Urban Award recipient Yurii Stasiuk and Schweisberg Award recipient Maggie McCabe
Florian Sailer, Mercedes-Benz; Simar Bajaj, NYT; Doyinsola Oladipo, Reuters; Dana Rowan, Roy Rowan Award sponsor; Katharina Kort, Der Spiegel and Humza Ahmad, Mercedes-Benz
This year’s cohort reflects that promise. Selected from hundreds of applicants, the 18 scholars come from leading institutions including Columbia University, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, UC Berkeley, New York University, Northwestern University, Yale University, the London School of Economics and Davidson College, and bring a wide range of global interests and reporting ambitions. Their work spans critical international topics from economic and political shifts in Latin America and cross-border trade, to conflict, migration and environmental issues demonstrating both the versatility and global perspective that define this year’s class.
Daniszewski also underscored the OPC Foundation’s role in supporting emerging correspondents. Each year, a select group is chosen for their “skills, preparation, experience and determination to do extraordinary work,” joining a global network of OPC Foundation alumni that offers mentorship and support throughout their careers.
He closed by thanking the many individuals and organizations that make the program possible, including the Foundation’s board, judges and alumni, as well as the families and friends who have supported the scholars’ journeys. He also expressed gratitude to industry partners from major news organizations broadcast networks whose engagement helps sustain the program.
Hamza Adel Fahmy, Deb Amos Scholar Award winner
Video presentation of Hyeyoon Cho
After the welcoming remarks, a video presentation of the scholars’ work and ambitions was played, offering a compelling look at the experiences that have shaped this year’s Overseas Press Club Foundation scholars.
Across the 18 clips, scholars reflected on formative reporting moments from around the world from investigating economic upheaval and transnational crime to documenting migration, conflict, and the lasting impact of war. Several described working in high-pressure environments, navigating censorship, political sensitivity, and the challenges of reporting across borders. Others examined hidden systems, including cyber scam networks and the global consequences of technological and economic structures.
Throughout, the scholars emphasized the importance of centering the human stories behind complex global issues. Their reporting focused on displaced communities, survivors of violence, and individuals navigating fragile political and economic systems, underscoring journalism’s role in bringing visibility and nuance to underreported experiences. As one scholar put it, “Journalism can’t solve these crises, but it can make sure the world doesn’t look away.”
“What began as a personal question became a responsibility,” one scholar said, reflecting on how an individual story led to a broader investigation into historical injustice. Another noted, “These aren’t just stories about fraud—they’re stories about exploitation,” highlighting the human toll behind transnational crime networks.
Several also spoke about the pressures of reporting in difficult environments and the importance of continuing despite them. “There are always pressures,” one scholar said, “but the greater risk is silence.” Another reflected on the importance of connection in reporting, noting that meaningful journalism begins with “listening—really listening—to people and their experiences.”
Looking ahead, the scholars expressed a shared ambition to pursue international reporting careers grounded in depth, accountability, and empathy. Through investigative work, multimedia storytelling, and on-the-ground reporting, they aim to cover underreported regions and issues with rigor and care.
The inspiring stories of all the 2026 Scholar Award winners can be watched here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkHZLJedti0
Ben Raab, Emanuel R. Freedman Award winner with Ed Tobin, Reuters
The OPC Foundation extends its deepest gratitude to Bloomberg for generously sponsoring the event and hosting this year’s celebration. The Foundation also thanks its sponsors and supporters, including its Benefactors: Bloomberg and Mercedes-Benz; its Patrons: The Associated Press, The New York Times, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Ward Creek Foundation and Marcy McGinnis; and its Friends: Pamela Howard Family Foundation and Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York and other valued partners, along with the many individual supporters whose generosity makes this work possible.
Katri Reilly, OPC Foundation; Karen Chu, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office; Shartia Brantley, Bloomberg
Evan Gorelick, NYT with Anika Seth, Yash Roy, Sonali Pathirana and Avalon Pernell from Bloomberg
Reva Abrol, S&P Award recipient with Paul Haven, the Associated Press
Hanna Davis, Edith Lederer Award winner with Edith Lederer
The Foundation is especially grateful to the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg and the LA Times, whose collaboration makes it possible to place scholars in reporting roles around the world. This year’s fellows will report from global bureaus including Brussels, Jerusalem, New Delhi, Seoul and Cairo, providing invaluable on-the-ground experience at a critical moment for international journalism.
In a year marked by significant challenges to press freedom and independent reporting, the evening was also a powerful reminder of what is possible when the journalism community comes together. Media organizations, supporters and friends of the Foundation gathered not only to celebrate these scholars, but to reaffirm a shared commitment to a stronger, more resilient future for international reporting.
As the evening made clear, the 2026 scholars join the OPC Foundation at a pivotal moment for global journalism - but one filled with promise. With talent, determination and the backing of a united global community, they are poised to tell the stories that will help the world better understand itself and help safeguard the future of press freedom.
