Investigative Reporters & Editors Freelance Fellowship 2023 (up to $5,000 in prizes)

Deadline: August 28, 2023

Applications for the Investigative Reporters & Editors Freelance Fellowship 2023 are now open. The IRE Freelance fellowship provides cash awards to assist independent journalists with investigative projects.

Created in 2008, the fellowships are awarded for project proposals which demonstrate impact, breadth and significance. Proposals for books, documentaries, cable series and other long-form projects are eligible. Proposals that deal with whistleblowers, business ethics or privacy issues will be given priority. It is intended to support work that will primarily be published or broadcast in the U.S. and in outlets where the primary audience will be at least a part of the American public.

Benefits

• 1st place – $2,500 and a one-year IRE membership
• 2nd place – $1,500 and a one-year IRE membership
• 3rd place – $1,000 and a one-year IRE membership

Eligibility

• Open to journalists who make their living primarily as freelancers and need assistance in conducting investigative projects.
• Freelance journalists who will publish the work primarily in the U.S. and in outlets where the primary audience will be at least a part of the American public.

Criteria

• Proposals which demonstrate impact, breadth and significance
• Proposals that deal with whistleblowers, business ethics or privacy issues will be given priority
• Intended to support work that will be primarily be published in the U.S. and in outlets where the primary audience will be at least a part of the American public

Application

Materials required for application include:

• Three clips showcasing investigative work
• Explain your freelance status in as much detail as necessary for the selection committee to determine your eligibility
• Describe your project.
  • How do you plan to spend the money if you receive one of the IRE freelance fellowships?
  • If your project requires additional funding, how do you plan to raise the rest of the funding necessary to complete your project?
  • Where do you hope to publish or air the project?
  • Have you discussed publication with any specific outlets? If so, summarize the conversations.
    • If you have already signed a contract with a publisher or broadcast outlet, provide specifics.
  • If you receive one of the fellowships, when do you expect to deliver the project to a potential publisher or broadcast outlet?

Click here to apply

For more information, visit Freelance Fellowship.