Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships 2025/26 (Up to $20,000)

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About Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships

The Al Accountability Fellowships seek to support journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments' and corporations’ uses of predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring, and more.

 

They seek to support journalists and newsrooms that represent the diversity of the communities impacted by AI technologies. The Fellowship is designed for reporters from all beats, desks, and formats who want to broaden, deepen, and diversify reporting on artificial intelligence with an accountability lens.

The Pulitzer Center is recruiting eight to 10 journalists from anywhere in the world to report on the impacts of algorithmic and automated systems on their communities. We encourage journalists from the Global South and from communities that are underrepresented in the media to apply.

Journalists need to apply with a reporting project they wish to pursue during their Fellowship. They encourage enterprise and accountability projects that use a variety of approaches—including data analysis, records requests, and shoe-leather reporting—to delve into the real-world impact of algorithms on policy, individuals, and communities.

While they welcome projects on a broad range of issues, this year they are also placing special emphasis on certain topics. They are seeking to support at least two projects on transparency and governance in relation to AI. This includes projects that follow the money across borders; shed light on opaque and harmful AI supply chains; or report on legislation, business practices, and organizations that exacerbate the lack of accountability and transparency of AI systems.

Successful applicants will be expected to join a mandatory 1.5-2 hour meeting held every month, contribute to at least one community call during the fellowship and to engage with other Fellows in virtual meetings and on the community’s dedicated online platform. They are also encouraged to attend a monthly virtual training session.

They require the sharing of methodologies and lessons learned so each story may serve as a blueprint for other newsrooms pursuing similar projects.

 

• Sponsor Organisation: Pulitzer Center

Benefits of Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships

• The 10-month Fellowship will provide journalists up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting project. The funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• The Fellows will have access to mentors and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.
• The opportunity to work on an urgent, underreported issue for a substantial period of time.
• Access to mentors and specialized training opportunities.
• Pro bono legal and public records access support.
• A community of like-minded colleagues that will continue beyond your Fellowship.
• Financial support to cover records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• The opportunity to find strong collaborators for your project or future projects.

Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships Requirements

• Staff or freelance journalists working on a wide range of platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
• Team players with the experience and/or ability to work collaboratively across newsrooms and borders.
• Reporters with a deep interest in how AI impacts the world, and why this issue matters to our global well-being.
• Reporters willing to participate in outreach activities related to their investigations, such as events at schools, universities, and public-facing events.
• Reporters can be based anywhere. The Fellowships are remote.

Application Date and Process

• A short statement of purpose: how this Fellowship fits in your career path and why you are best positioned to be an Al Accountability Fellow. (500 words)
• A detailed description of the reporting project you seek to pursue during your Fellowship. Please do not propose general themes, but propose a concrete project that shows some pre-reporting on the subject. A compelling, well-researched project proposal with a reporting plan will help you stand out among dozens of applicants. (500 words)
• A budget that lays out anticipated costs of the project. Categories may include records requests, software, data analysis, travel and lodging, and stipends. If your budget exceeds the maximum amount provided for this fellowship ($20,000), please include your other funding sources that will allow you to complete this project.
• Three examples (links) of your best stories published in the past three years (not necessarily on artificial intelligence).
• A letter of commitment or interest from a media organization(s) that would publish your story(ies). If you are a staff reporter, a signed letter from your editor or newsroom manager confirming you have their support in applying for the AI Accountability Fellowship. This letter should explicitly state that your newsroom will allocate time for you to participate in the Fellowship activities and the newsroom will support publishing the stories you produce through this Fellowship. It can also include information on why your manager thinks you would be suited for this Fellowship.
• Three professional references: These can be either contact information or letters of recommendation.
• A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.

Apply Here

Application Deadline

11 August, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

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