The Pulitzer Center for Journalism at Columbia University collaborates with independent journalists and news institutions to support in-depth, high-impact reporting on global issues. Journalists, both freelance and on staff, are welcome to apply. The opportunities provided by the Center are listed below.
Global Reporting Grants
The Pulitzer Center's global reporting grants fund in-depth, high-impact reporting on crucial subjects such as global health and climate change often overlooked by the media.
Applicants must include letters of commitment from news outlets having considerable reach to publish or broadcast their work in their proposals. Applications for reporting that will appear in several outlets are given preference. There is no deadline for the application; awards are given out continually. The awards cover reporting costs and are based on realistic, precise budgets. Most overseas trip rewards are between $5,000 and $10,000, although they could be more or less depending on the circumstances. The program expects news organizations to reward journalists for their work, albeit in rare cases, stipends to cover a reporter's time may be considered. Suppose the candidate is applying on behalf of a newsroom, university, or other organization. In that case, they should keep in mind that the Center's funds do not provide for overhead or indirect expenses.
The initiative supports projects across all media platforms and encourages bold, prize-worthy applications for one or more news outlets that integrate print, photography, audio, and/or video. The most successful programs are those in which news organizations match the program's dedication by including interactive or multimedia components into their original reporting to enhance and display it.
Journalists, photographers, radio/audio reporters, television/video journalists, and documentary filmmakers are eligible for grants. The program is dedicated to assisting journalists from all walks of life and countries.
Applications must be in English.
Applications include the following:
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In no more than 250 words, proposed idea description.
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A detailed plan for publication. Note: It should include editors' and news organizations' letters of interest or commitment.
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A rough budget estimate that includes a basic cost breakdown. Fees for local reporting partners, translators, and drivers are acceptable. Stipends for the applicants should not be included in travel grants because they cover hard costs associated with reporting.
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Three work examples published in print media or broadcast.
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Three professional references.
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Applicant's CV copy
The application may include a more detailed description of the project, but it will be viewed as an optional supplement only. The most crucial component of the submission is the 250-word synopsis.
See (https://bit.ly/3KV90Br) for more information on the program.
Bringing Stories Home: Local Reporting Grants
Bringing Topics Home is a Pulitzer Center effort meant to assist local U.S. newsrooms in covering the important, underreported stories that affect us all—and to foster public engagement through education and other outreach, which is critical for the program's democracy to thrive.
Bringing Stories Home is a significant investment in local reporting, allowing resources to be allocated to stories that would otherwise go untold. All news organizations serving local communities in the United States are eligible to participate in Bringing Stories Home. From Milwaukee to Louisville to Tucson to St. Louis, the Pulitzer Center actively engages with partner publications.
The applicant chooses which underreported stories their community needs to hear about. The program encourages and supports that reporting by generating educational materials and arranging events to spread the word about their stories and the conversation about them.
The program values analytical, investigative, and accountability journalism projects that address structural issues and hold influential local figures accountable.
Application
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Proposed idea description (250 words limit).
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A preliminary budget estimate that includes a cost breakdown.
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A strong distribution strategy
See (https://bit.ly/3KUKeRN) for more information on the program.
Rainforest Journalism Fund Grant
The Rainforest Journalism Fund (RJF), which was established in September 2018, is a significant investment in global environmental and climate reportage. Reporting on tropical rainforests in the Congo Basin, Amazon, and Southeast Asia is supported by the Rainforest Journalism Fund. For the Fund's five-year lifespan, the Rainforest Journalism Fund expects to assist roughly 200 original reporting initiatives through the Pulitzer Center.
Applications for regional projects are examined independently by Advisory Committees made up of experienced journalists who are supposed to propose projects in each region connected to tropical rainforests.
See (https://bit.ly/34SSYst) for more information on the program.
Connected Coastlines Grants
Journalists interested in reporting stories as part of Connected Coastlines, a nationwide climate reporting effort in U.S. coastal states, should apply. This program, which began in 2019, is assembling a group of newsrooms and independent journalists from across the United States to report on the local impacts of irregular weather patterns on coastal people using the most up-to-date climate research.
Application
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A 250-word overview of the proposed project and a distribution/publication plan. Proposals that include a letter(s) of interest or support from publishers or editors are viewed more favorably by the program.
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Methodology: The applicant should explain how they plan to report their story, including the methods they'll use to acquire and analyze climate science-related data, research, or actions.
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A rough budget estimate that includes a basic cost breakdown. Include travel expenses and costs associated with collaborating with freelance journalists or independent contractors. For example, suppose the applicant is a writer who wishes to cooperate on a reporting assignment with a camera person or a multimedia designer. Funds for journalists/team members who work for newsrooms or are paid by a publisher should not be included.
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Three samples (links) of the applicant's published climate-related work (or someone on their project team.)
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Three professional references. Applicants can include contact information or letters of recommendation.
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Applicant's CV copy
The application may include a more detailed description of the project, but it will be viewed as an optional supplement only. The most crucial component of the submission is the 250-word synopsis.
Applicants should select a lead journalist (or journalists) to submit the proposal on behalf of a newsroom, and the program would prefer only one proposal submission per journalist or newsroom.
See (https://bit.ly/37LJnVz) for more information on the program.
Data Journalism Grants
The program is looking for ideas for data-driven journalism initiatives that bring attention to under-reported subjects. This opportunity is open to all news organizations and independent journalists in the United States and abroad.
The program is looking for proposals that would incorporate cutting-edge data tools and foster cross-state or cross-national collaboration across newsrooms. The program encourages proposals that leverage advanced data mining techniques, such as machine learning and natural language processing, geographical data analysis, satellite imaging, drones, and sensors, to push the boundaries of data collection and analysis. We're looking for a compelling data-driven narrative that has the potential to impact public conversation and hold the powerful accountable, based on original data collection and analysis and stunning visuals.
Application
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A 250-word overview of the proposed project and a distribution/publication plan. Proposals that include a letter(s) of interest or support from publishers or editors are viewed more favorably by the program.
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Methodology: The applicant should explain how they plan to report their story, including the methods they'll use to acquire and analyze climate science-related data, research, or actions.
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A rough budget estimate that includes a basic cost breakdown. Include travel expenses and costs associated with collaborating with freelance journalists or independent contractors. For example, suppose the applicant is a writer who wishes to cooperate on a reporting assignment with a camera person or a multimedia designer. Funds for journalists/team members who work for newsrooms or are paid by a publisher should not be included.
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Three samples (links) of the applicant's published climate-related work (or someone on their project team.)
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Three professional references. Applicants can include contact information or letters of recommendation.
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Applicant's CV copy
The application may include a more detailed description of the project, but it will be viewed as an optional supplement only. The most crucial component of the submission is the 250-word synopsis.
Gender Equality Grants
The program is looking for applications for data-driven investigative projects on gender equality and women's and girls' empowerment. This opportunity is open to all news organizations and independent journalists in the United States and abroad.
Global crises disproportionately affect women and girls who confront prejudice and violence worldwide. They demonstrate resilience, strength, and leadership in the face of the inequalities they face.
The Gender Equality Grant is intended to assist journalists in reporting on issues of gender equality and women's empowerment to a new level.
Stories that raise the voices of communities that aren't commonly heard in the media, stories of resilience and projects that use data, investigative reporting, and technology to address structural concerns of gender equality are valued by the program.
Application
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In 250 words, describe the proposed idea.
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A rough budget estimate that includes a basic cost breakdown.
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A strong distribution strategy.
See (https://bit.ly/3u7Ukbs) for more information on the program.
Reporting Fellowships
The Center is looking for reporting projects that focus on global challenges, concentrating on subjects that have gone unnoticed by the mainstream American media. Covering vital topics such as the environment, global health, women's economic empowerment, refugees and migration, food shortages, resource conflicts, human rights violations, and peace and conflict is a priority for the program.
See (https://bit.ly/3KRFxs0) for more information on the program.
The Richard C. Longworth Media Fellowships
The goal of this program, a collaboration with the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, relies upon encouraging Chicago and Midwest journalists to report on foreign problems.
Eligibility
The Longworth Fellowships are available to print, broadcasting, and digital journalists in Chicago and the Midwest. Staff and freelance journalists are both eligible to apply. Field reporting takes place in international areas.
Distribution
The finished work must have a plausible plan for wide distribution in Chicago or other Midwestern news media (print, online, and/or television). Employees and freelancers alike should be able to demonstrate to editors and producers that they care about their work. For freelancers, an applicant's track record with the specified sources is frequently the most revealing indicator of the authenticity of a distribution plan. Editors and/or producers with previous working experience with candidates who are willing to work with them again are urged to write letters. Note: do not have editors send letters merely indicating that they are interested in the work.
Applications include the following:
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Proposed idea description (250 words limit).
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In no more than 250 words, proposed idea description.
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A detailed plan for publication. Note: editors' and news organizations' letters of interest or commitment should be included.
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A rough budget estimate that includes a basic cost breakdown. Fees for local reporting partners, translators, and drivers are acceptable. Stipends for the applicants should not be included in travel grants because they cover hard costs associated with reporting.
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Three work examples published in print media or broadcast.
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Three professional references.
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Applicant's CV copy
A more extensive description of the project may be included in the application, but it will be treated as an optional addition only. The 250-word summary and methodology are the most crucial parts of the application.
See (https://bit.ly/3tkAomi) for more information on the program.
Rainforest Investigations Network
The Rainforest Investigations Network is an important project that aims to use investigative reporting and cross-border cooperation to tackle topics about climate change, corruption, and governance in the world's three largest tropical rainforest regions: the Amazon, the Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia.
The program is looking for experienced investigative journalists from each rainforest zone and journalists from major international news organizations.
The full-time, year-long fellowships will cover the reporter's salary and provide additional support to the media outlet that employs (or agrees to host) the journalist (if a freelancer).
Fellows must spend significant amounts of time on their rainforest research and publish regularly. The Pulitzer Center will provide training and data, communication, research, and coordination support. They will collaborate closely with their co-Fellows worldwide, drawing on their expertise and views.
Who is eligible to apply?
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Experienced investigative journalists based in the Amazon (three scholarships), Congo Basin (three fellowships), and Southeast Asia (three fellowships). Further fellowships will be awarded to journalists working for international news organizations that are not based in rainforest zones.
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Reporters based in countries bordering the three central tropical rainforest regions—Congo Basin, Amazon, and Southeast Asia—may apply too. However, they must focus their research on deforestation and supply-chain stories in these areas during the fellowship.
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Journalists on staff or freelancers who work on a variety of channels such as print, radio, video, and multimedia. A local or international newsroom will need to support freelance reporters by agreeing to house them and publish the material they generate during the fellowship.
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Individuals who have worked together across newsrooms and countries and have the experience and/or ability to do so.
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Reporters who have a thorough perception of the scientific, social, legal, environmental, political, and commercial forces at work in deforestation and forest degradation worldwide and why this subject is so vital to the world's well-being.
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Reporters that are willing to participate in community outreach initiatives connected to their investigations, such as school and university events.
Application
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A statement of purpose that explains how this fellowship fits into the applicant's professional plans and why they are the most outstanding candidate for a RIF Fellow. Candidates may also discuss how collaborating with journalists from other countries might help their investigations or how they can help them. (maximum 500 words)
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An investigative project proposal highlighting the applicant's most ambitious rainforest reporting goals for the fellowship. Note: Instead of broad themes, offer specific investigative projects to uncover systemic wrongdoing/abuse that is unknown or disguised. It is assumed that by the time the applicant submits their application, they will have completed pre-reporting to establish the project's scope, viability, and novelty. They will stand out among hundreds of applicants with a fascinating, thoroughly researched project proposal with a reporting strategy. (maximum 500 words)
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Three examples (links) of the applicant's most significant research published in the last three years.
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A letter of support from the applicant's media organization or a newsroom that has agreed to host and publish the applicant's work as a Rainforest Investigations Network Fellow.
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Three professional references are provided: Letters of recommendation or contact information for references should be submitted by candidates.
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Applicant's CV copy
See (https://bit.ly/3CShZ3q) for more information on the program.
Persephone Miel Fellowships
The Persephone Miel Fellowship is intended to support journalists from countries other than the United States and Western Europe. They are working on ambitious reporting projects and want to share their work with a larger global audience.
Miel fellowships require reporting from the applicant's home nation or following migratory communities to new places. Journalists with restricted access to other fellowships and whose work is not usually promoted abroad benefit from the fellowship. Persephone Miel was a former senior advisor at Internews who devoted her life to supporting the work of journalists around the world. She is the recipient of the fellowship.
Eligibility
The Persephone Miel Fellowships are open to journalists, photographers, writers, radio producers or freelancers, filmmakers, and media professionals outside Western Europe and the United States. They want to report from their own country. Journalists from developing nations, particularly women, are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants must be fluent in English.
See (https://bit.ly/3qDEjJt) for more information on the program.
Eyewitness Photojournalism Grant by Diversify Photo and the Pulitzer Center
The Eyewitness Photojournalism Grant is a series of reporting fellowships for freelance photojournalists to encourage underreported stories told by journalists who have traditionally been underrepresented in the American press.
Eligibility
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Applicants must be independent photojournalists from anywhere globally, and a letter of commitment from a news organization with significant reach is strongly encouraged.
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All applications must be sent in the English language. There is no charge for applying.
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The initiative expects media organizations to share the financial burden of reporting these stories in addition to the DPxPC.
See (https://bit.ly/3CVztfy) for more information on the program.
Breakthrough Journalism Award
This $12,000 award, made available by Eva Lohrer's generosity, aims to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of Pulitzer Center-affiliated freelance journalists who cover under-reported subjects that touch us all. A $5,000 prize will be given to the runner-up.
Applicants are required to submit one article or series from the previous year that has had a significant impact on their career.
All current and previous Pulitzer Center grantees and Campus Consortium reporting fellows who are early in their careers (less than ten years experience) wish to be recognized for freelancing journalism published/broadcast during the 365 days before the submission deadline will be considered.
The person who applies or is selected for the Breakthrough Award is expected to be the project's lead journalist/reporter. Stories can be presented in any language, but they must be accompanied by an English synopsis (no more than 250 words). The synopsis should explain the concept of the article(s) and evaluates its impact and reception.
See (https://bit.ly/3CQfoHg) for more information on the program.
Taken: Civil Asset Forfeiture Grants
Taken is a collaborative investigative reporting effort supported by the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting that brings together regional investigative newsrooms in America's heartland to look into property seizures by law enforcement, as well as a deep insight into the multilayered state and federal information that uncovers the seizure of private property without due process.
Applications include the following:
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In 250 words or less, describe the planned project and schedule.
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A financial breakdown, including travel, ground transportation, accommodation, meals, visas, and local reporting partner/translator expenses.
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Distribution plan.
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Three examples of work that has been broadcasted or published in print.
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Three professional references. Applicants can include contact information or letters of recommendation.
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Applicant's CV copy
The application may include a more detailed description of the project, but it will be viewed as an optional supplement only. The most crucial component of the submission is the 250-word synopsis.
See (https://bit.ly/3KYuRbk) for more information on the program.
Climate Photography: Open Call For Indigenous Photographers
The Pulitzer Center for Journalism in the Public Interest is teaming up with Indigenous Photographs for an open photocall to find Indigenous photojournalists recording their challenges with climate change.
See (https://bit.ly/3Ih0nPL) for more information on the program.
For further information, please click the "LINK TO ORIGINAL" button below.