Deadline: August 17, 2026
Applications are open for the ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program 2026-2027. The Emerging Reporters Program is specifically designed for talented aspiring journalists who find investigative journalism inaccessible for financial reasons.
ProPublica has a vested interest in developing more journalists from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. They consider it crucial to the future of the industry and to their own ability to fulfill their mission, which is to expose abuses of power and produce journalism that provokes change.
Without the voices and points of view of more journalists from diverse backgrounds, there is every reason to believe that important stories are being overlooked. Barriers that keep aspiring journalists from entering the field include financial constraints and lack of access to mentors and training. The Emerging Reporters Program is aimed at lowering those barriers and encouraging the next generation of journalists.
Benefits
- The Emerging Reporters Program provides $9,000 stipends, along with mentoring and a trip to a journalism conference, such as the Investigative Reporters & Editors conference.
- Accommodations and other expenses for the conference will be covered by ProPublica. The dates of the conferences are to be determined.
Eligibility
- Open only to students who are eligible to file U.S. taxes and are able to provide a completed W-9 form, including U.S. citizens or U.S. residents. The W-9 form requires that each participant provide a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. They will not make any exceptions to this rule.
- All students who will be undergraduate juniors or seniors in college this academic year are eligible to apply, and students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in journalism are especially encouraged to do so.
Application
This year’s program will run from late September to June, during which time mentors and program participants will be in contact by phone and email.
For more information, visit ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program.
