Achilles Data

Discover your passion for journalism.
Applications to 8th year are opened till September 30, 2024.

About Achilles Data

Are you attracted to the career of a journalist but lack enough experience? Do you want to find out if journalism is your passion for life? Through the Achilles Data program you will experience what a profession of a journalist really is about and you will gain the necessary experience for any future projects. In three months, you will learn how to write an engaging analysis or an in-depth text using the techniques of a journalistic work. Mentoring throughout the course is provided by the most qualified journalists in the field. The course is free of charge for successful candidates; the costs associated with attending the training (course fees, travel, accommodation) are covered by the Bakala Foundation.

What skills will you gain in the program?

  • verifying information and handling sources
  • conducting an interview
  • basic techniques of investigation, data journalism, reporting
  • working in a team
  • rules of journalism ethics

„It's like reading a thrilling detective novel, but you can also write it at the same time," says Alena, an Achilles Data 2022/2023 participant.

Who is the program for?

  • Students who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate/graduate higher education and have a serious interest in journalism.
  • Active and motivated students with fluency in English.
Candidates from the following countries may apply:
  • Czech republic
  • Slovakia
  • Poland
  • Hungary
  • Ukraine

How does the program work?

  • The course accepts teams of 3-5 students. (Exceptions are possible, the organizer can form teams from registered individuals.)
  • Members of accepted teams will first attend a three-day series of lectures and workshops on journalism at the Bakala Foundation's Student Hub in Prague. Outstanding investigative journalists and experts from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and abroad will share their experience with the participants.
  • This is followed by a practical part, during which students work in teams on real cases, either at their place of study or online, as agreed by the team. Each team is always assigned to a mentor (an experienced journalist) with whom the students continuously consult throughout the duration of the course on their methods of working on the chosen topic.
  • At the end of the program, teams submit their work (consisting of an article, an interview, and an infographic).
  • The course ends with a final meeting during which the best project is announced and rewarded. All participants receive a certificate of completion and feedback on their work from the judges.
  • The costs of the students' participation in the initial training and the final meeting in Prague are covered by the Bakala Foundation. The costs include travel, accommodation, course fees and meals during the attendance sessions.

What are the requirements for successful completion?

  • Acceptance into the Achilles Data course.
  • Participation in an introductory three-day training course in Prague.
  • Independent journalistic work of each team for the duration of the course, brief team meeting minutes once a week.
  • Active collaboration with mentor.
  • Submission of a project and presentation at the final award ceremony.

Current year

Applications for the 8th iteration of Achilles Data open May 29, 2024. Keep up to date with the latest news about the program on our Facebook or Instagram.
Application schedule
May 2024
Opening of applications. Teams of 3-5 students apply for the course, each of whom completes an application form.
September 2024
Closing of applications.
October
The expert committee will select the participants of the program from the received applications that meet all the criteria, and we will subsequently contact and communicate the logistical details of their participation with them.
November 7–9, 2024
Start of the program: three-day training in Prague (Thursday to Saturday).
November–January
Participants work on their cases, usually at their place of study, online or by agreement within the team.
End of January 2025
Submission of team work.
February/ March 2025
Final event including team presentations of outcomes in Prague.

The program step-by-step

The Achilles Data program is organised by the Bakala Foundation in cooperation with its partners Stop Corruption Foundation and Ján Kuciak Investigative Centre, with kind support of the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic.

Mentors 2023/2024

Czech republic
The Endowment for Independent Journalism
More
HlidaciPes.org
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Slovakia
Nadácia Zastavme korupciu
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Nadácia Zastavme korupciu
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Investigatívne centrum Jána Kuciaka
More
Poland
Instytut Reportażu
More

Lecturers 2023/2024

The New York Times
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Czech Radio
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Czech Radio
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Investigatívne centrum Jána Kuciaka
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HlidaciPes.org
More

Achilles Data in numbers

7
7
iterations
183
183
alumni
4
4
countries
7
7
iterations
183
183
alumni
4
4
countries

Alumni

Published articles of course participants

The outcomes of the investigative cases worked on by the participants of the Achilles Data course were also published in the media:

Questions and answers

What language is the program in?
Is it necessary to have a team to join the program?
Is it mandatory to attend the initial three-day training in Prague, or is it possible to participate only in team work on an investigative case?
Can I apply even if I study only a high school?
I have already graduated from a university (or higher vocational school). Can I still apply for the Achilles Data program?
What level of English is required to participate in the program?

Contact

Didn't find what you were looking for? Contact us. We'll be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have about Achilles Data.
Petra Judová
Petra Judová
Program Manager