The Pulitzer Center is inviting journalists to peel back the curtain on how artificial intelligence is reshaping society.
The 2026-27 AI Accountability Fellowship seeks in-depth reporting projects that scrutinize how governments and corporations deploy predictive and surveillance technologies in critical sectors like policing, healthcare, and social welfare.
Successful applicants will move beyond general themes to tackle concrete investigations into the AI supply chain or the real-world impact of algorithms.
The 10-month program encourages a mix of data analysis, public records requests, and traditional shoe-leather reporting to hold powerful institutions accountable.
Funding and benefits
Selected Fellows receive up to $25,000 to bring their investigations to life. This includes up to $20,000 for reporting costs like travel and data analysis, plus $5,000 specifically for “impact plans” designed to reach strategic audiences through exhibitions, events, or social media.
Beyond financial support, the program offers a global network of peers, specialized training, and mentorship from Pulitzer Center editors.
Participants also gain access to pro bono legal assistance and public records support to help navigate complex investigative hurdles.
Application requirements and eligibility
This remote fellowship is open to staff and freelance journalists globally, regardless of their beat or medium.
While reporting can be published in any language, applicants must be proficient in English to participate in mandatory monthly meetings and collaborative training sessions.
To apply, journalists must submit a 500-word statement of purpose and a detailed 500-word project proposal backed by pre-reporting.
The application also requires an engagement plan, a detailed budget, three published story examples, and three professional references.
Crucially, applicants must provide a letter of commitment from a media organization prepared to publish the final work.
For staff reporters, this letter must confirm that their newsroom will allocate the necessary time for fellowship activities throughout the 10-month duration.
Deadline
All materials must be submitted in English via the Pulitzer Center’s application portal.
The window for the 2026-27 cohort closes at 11:59 pm EDT on July 12, 2026, with the fellowship scheduled to run from September 2026 through July 2027.
To apply, visit Pulitzer call page. Visit our global opportunity page for more.
Summary not available at this time.
