Pulitzer Center Artificial Intelligence Accountability Fellowships 2026–2027: Up to $25,000 Funding for Journalists Worldwide

The Pulitzer Center has officially opened applications for its prestigious Artificial Intelligence Accountability Fellowships 2026–2027, offering journalists from around the world an opportunity to investigate some of the most pressing issues surrounding artificial intelligence and automated systems.

As artificial intelligence continues to transform governments, businesses, workplaces, public services, and everyday life, the need for independent, evidence-based journalism has become more important than ever. The fellowship seeks to support journalists who are committed to uncovering the real-world impacts of AI technologies, exploring both their opportunities and risks, and holding powerful institutions accountable for how these technologies are designed, funded, and deployed.

Selected fellows will receive up to $25,000 in funding, along with mentorship, specialized training, and access to a global network of journalists and experts dedicated to AI accountability reporting.

About the Pulitzer Center Artificial Intelligence Accountability Fellowships

The Artificial Intelligence Accountability Fellowship was established to strengthen public-interest journalism focused on AI and algorithmic systems. Since its launch in 2022, the fellowship has supported dozens of journalists across five continents, helping them produce impactful investigations that have influenced public debate, informed policymaking, and strengthened accountability efforts worldwide.

The fellowship supports ambitious reporting projects that examine:

• The social impact of artificial intelligence systems
• Government use of AI technologies
• Corporate influence in AI development and deployment
• Labor conditions within the AI industry
• Data collection and surveillance practices
• Algorithmic decision-making systems
• AI regulation and governance
• Human rights implications of AI technologies
• AI supply chains and infrastructure
• Public accountability and transparency issues

The program is designed to help journalists produce rigorous investigations that reveal how AI systems affect communities and societies across the globe.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive a comprehensive package of support to strengthen their reporting projects.

Financial Support

Each fellow may receive up to:

• $20,000 for reporting expenses
• $5,000 for engagement and impact activities

The total funding available is up to $25,000 per fellow.

Eligible Use of Funds

Funding may be used for:

• Investigative reporting expenses
• Travel costs
• Data analysis
• Records requests
• Research activities
• Reporting stipends
• Audience engagement initiatives
• Community outreach activities
• Impact-focused dissemination efforts

Mentorship and Training

Fellows will gain access to:

• Experienced mentors from diverse professional backgrounds
• Specialized AI reporting training
• Editorial guidance
• Peer-learning opportunities
• Professional development resources
• Collaborative learning environments

New Impact Planning Component

For the first time, the fellowship includes dedicated support for developing and implementing impact strategies for investigative projects.

This additional support may include:

• Partnerships with content creators
• Community engagement initiatives
• Public education campaigns
• Local information products
• Stakeholder dialogues
• Civil society collaborations
• Outreach to policymakers and decision-makers

The goal is to ensure that investigations reach audiences who can drive meaningful conversations and change.

Examples of Previous Fellowship Investigations

Past fellows have produced influential reporting on topics such as:

• Data labeling work connected to military applications
• Technology companies’ strategies for building large-scale data centers
• Algorithmic flaws affecting social welfare programs
• Export of facial recognition technologies to countries with limited regulatory oversight
• AI-driven systems impacting vulnerable communities

These investigations have generated significant impact, including:

• Contributions to new legislation
• Evidence supporting legal actions
• Increased public awareness
• Educational initiatives and student-led investigations
• Greater scrutiny of AI systems and corporate practices

Fellowship Duration

The fellowship runs for 10 months, beginning in September 2026.

Throughout the program, fellows will work on their reporting projects while participating in training, mentorship, and collaborative activities.

Fellowship Requirements

Successful applicants must be prepared to actively participate throughout the fellowship period.

Requirements include:

Mandatory Monthly Meetings

Fellows must attend:

• Monthly virtual meetings lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours

Community Participation

Participants will be expected to:

• Contribute to at least one community call
• Engage with fellow journalists
• Participate in discussions on the fellowship platform
• Collaborate with the global fellowship community

Training Sessions

Fellows are encouraged to attend:

• Monthly virtual training sessions
• Specialized workshops and learning opportunities

Knowledge Sharing

Participants are required to:

• Share reporting methodologies
• Document lessons learned
• Contribute insights that can help other journalists pursuing similar investigations

This collaborative approach helps strengthen the broader field of AI accountability journalism and supports the development of best practices across newsrooms worldwide.

Why Artificial Intelligence Accountability Reporting Matters

Artificial intelligence technologies are increasingly shaping critical aspects of modern life, including:

• Employment
• Healthcare
• Education
• Public services
• Law enforcement
• Financial systems
• Social welfare programs
• Communication platforms

Despite their growing influence, many AI systems operate with limited transparency and oversight. Independent journalism plays a vital role in helping the public understand how these technologies function and how they affect individuals and communities.

The Pulitzer Center’s fellowship aims to strengthen reporting that investigates these complex systems while amplifying stories that might otherwise remain hidden from public view.

About the Artificial Intelligence Accountability Network

The fellowship operates under the Pulitzer Center’s Artificial Intelligence Accountability Network, launched in 2022 to expand and diversify the field of AI reporting in the public interest.

The network also supports several complementary initiatives, including:

Artificial Intelligence Reporting Grants

These grants support shorter-term reporting projects examining AI’s impact on communities around the world.

Artificial Intelligence Spotlight Series

A free online training program that equips journalists and editors with the knowledge and skills needed to cover AI effectively.

South to South Artificial Intelligence Accountability Collaborative Laboratory

A collaborative initiative connecting journalists, researchers, civil society organizations, and academic institutions across:

• Africa
• Latin America
• South Asia
• Southeast Asia

The program seeks to strengthen relationships between journalism and civil society engagement across the Global South.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: July 12, 2026

Interested journalists are encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute challenges.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a strong investigative reporting proposal that demonstrates:

• Clear relevance to AI accountability
• Potential public impact
• Feasibility of execution
• Strong reporting methodology
• Commitment to public-interest journalism

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

For more information about this opportunity, visit here.

Discover more Global Fellowship Opportunities on OFY here.