Applications open for Investigative Reporting Fellowship Program 2025 (United States)

Topics

• The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from February through July to delve into topics related to investigative reporting including:
  • The Investigative Reporting Mindset
  • Data Journalism
  • Process and Development
  • Interviewing and Writing for Investigations

Eligibility Criteria

• The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalists.
• Freelance journalists also are invited to apply.
• Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience.
• Applicants must provide a resume, examples of previous written work, a project pitch, and be available for phone interviews if requested.
• Applicants must be able to participate in four weeklong training sessions in Atlanta, (approx. 16 days of instruction; 24 days including travel, which will call for arriving in Atlanta on Sundays and departing on Fridays or Saturdays). Training weeks will be scattered throughout the year.
• Applicants must submit letters from their employers indicating that they will be allowed to participate in the fellowship program and that their investigative work produced during the program will be published.
• Freelancers must have a news organization willing to write a supportive statement and agreement to publish their work.

Application Requirements

• Requirements of applicant’s employer:
  • Allow participants to continue to earn their salaries while taking part in training in Atlanta without using any accrued vacation time. There will be four weeklong training courses scattered throughout the year.
  • Provide support and guidance to the participants as they take part in the program and work to develop a proposed project.
  • Publish the project.

For more information, visit Ida B. Wells Society.