Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027: Receive a $9,000 Stipend, Professional Mentorship, and Journalism Conference Support from ProPublica

Aspiring investigative journalists looking to build a successful career in journalism now have an outstanding opportunity to gain financial support, mentorship, and professional development through the ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027. Designed specifically to support undergraduate students who face financial barriers to entering the journalism profession, this prestigious initiative provides a $9,000 stipend, one-on-one mentorship from experienced investigative journalists, and a fully funded opportunity to attend a major journalism conference.

Each year, ProPublica selects five talented undergraduate students who are passionate about journalism and committed to pursuing investigative reporting. The program aims to remove financial obstacles, provide meaningful mentorship, and help cultivate a more diverse and representative generation of journalists.

Applications for the 2026–2027 Emerging Reporters Program are currently open, with interested applicants required to submit their applications by Monday, August 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).

About the ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program

The Emerging Reporters Program is an annual initiative created by ProPublica, one of the world’s leading nonprofit investigative news organizations. ProPublica is internationally recognized for producing impactful investigative journalism that serves the public interest by exposing abuses of power, uncovering systemic problems, and driving meaningful change.

The program was established to support students who have demonstrated exceptional interest in journalism but may lack access to opportunities because of financial constraints. Rather than allowing economic barriers to prevent talented individuals from entering investigative journalism, ProPublica invests directly in promising students through financial assistance, mentorship, and professional networking opportunities.

Every year, five undergraduate students are selected to participate in this highly competitive program.

Purpose of the Emerging Reporters Program

Investigative journalism plays a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability, and democracy. However, many aspiring journalists encounter significant barriers that limit their ability to gain professional experience, particularly when internships and early career opportunities are unpaid.

ProPublica believes that journalism should reflect the diversity of the communities it serves. The Emerging Reporters Program was created to help build a stronger and more inclusive journalism industry by supporting talented students from diverse backgrounds, especially those experiencing financial hardship.

The program seeks to:

• Increase access to investigative journalism careers.
• Remove financial barriers for talented students.
• Encourage diversity within newsrooms.
• Support students committed to public-interest journalism.
• Foster the next generation of investigative reporters.

Program Benefits

Students selected for the Emerging Reporters Program receive an impressive package of financial and professional support.

1. $9,000 Financial Stipend

Participants receive a total stipend of $9,000 during the program.

The stipend is distributed in two installments:

• First payment: $4,500 at the beginning of the program.
• Second payment: $4,500 midway through the program.

The funding helps students focus on developing their journalism skills while reducing financial pressures.

2. Individual Mentorship

Each participant is paired with one of ProPublica’s experienced investigative journalists.

Mentors provide guidance on:

• Investigative reporting
• Story development
• Career planning
• Journalism ethics
• Professional growth
• Reporting techniques
• Writing improvement

Mentorship takes place throughout the academic year through regular phone calls and email communication.

3. Fully Funded Journalism Conference

Participants also receive the opportunity to attend a prestigious journalism conference, such as the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Conference.

ProPublica covers conference-related expenses, including:

• Accommodation
• Travel-related costs
• Conference participation

Students therefore gain valuable exposure to leading investigative journalists and industry professionals.

4. Professional Networking

The program allows students to connect with:

• Investigative reporters
• Editors
• Journalism mentors
• Industry professionals
• Fellow student journalists

These connections often become valuable throughout participants’ journalism careers.

5. Career Development

Participants strengthen their professional profiles by gaining:

• Investigative journalism experience
• Career mentorship
• Industry knowledge
• Reporting skills
• Professional confidence
• Access to journalism networks

Why ProPublica Created the Emerging Reporters Program

ProPublica recognizes that many talented students never enter journalism because of:

• Financial barriers
• Limited access to mentorship
• Lack of professional training
• Unpaid internship opportunities
• Limited industry connections

The organization believes these obstacles prevent many important voices from entering investigative journalism.

Without journalists from a wide variety of backgrounds, many critical stories affecting communities may remain untold.

Through this program, ProPublica aims to create a journalism profession that better reflects the diverse populations it serves.

Who Is Eligible?

The Emerging Reporters Program is specifically designed for undergraduate students with a demonstrated passion for journalism and a genuine financial need.

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.

Academic Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be undergraduate students.
• Be entering their junior or senior year during the 2026–2027 academic year.
• Maintain a full academic course load throughout the program.

Financial Requirement

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Financial need.

The program prioritizes students for whom financial barriers make investigative journalism opportunities difficult to access.

Journalism Experience

Applicants should demonstrate an early commitment to journalism.

Examples include:

• Journalism internships
• Campus newspapers
• Student magazines
• College websites
• Radio stations
• Television stations
• Local news organizations

ProPublica also recognizes that unpaid internships may not be accessible to every student. Therefore, applicants who have demonstrated initiative in other ways are also encouraged to apply.

Tax Eligibility Requirement

Applicants must be legally eligible to file taxes in the United States.

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. residents eligible to file U.S. taxes

Participants must also be able to provide:

• A completed W-9 Form
• A valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

No exceptions will be made regarding these requirements.

Students Especially Encouraged to Apply

Although all eligible students may apply, ProPublica strongly encourages applications from students belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in journalism.

These include:

• Women
• People of color
• LGBTQ+ individuals
• People with disabilities

The organization is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its newsroom and programming.

Program Duration

The 2026–2027 Emerging Reporters Program runs:

Late September 2026 through June 2027

Throughout this period, students remain in regular contact with their mentors while continuing their academic studies.

Mentor Matching Process

Participants do not select their mentors themselves.

Instead, the Program Director carefully matches each student with a ProPublica journalist based on:

• Journalism interests
• Career goals
• Reporting interests
• Application responses

This personalized matching process helps ensure a productive mentorship experience.

Conference Expenses

Students do not need to pay for conference participation.

ProPublica covers:

• Accommodation
• Conference expenses
• Other approved travel-related costs

Conference dates will be announced separately.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through ProPublica’s official application system before the deadline.

Interested applicants should carefully complete the application and provide all requested information.

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing early to ensure they submit a strong application before the closing date.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

ProPublica is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.

The organization welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and strictly prohibits discrimination based on:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Sexual orientation
• National origin
• Age
• Disability
• Any other legally protected status

The newsroom actively works toward increasing diversity among its staff to better represent the communities it serves.

Click HERE to read more and apply.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027 must be submitted by:

Monday, August 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Applicants are encouraged to prepare their materials well in advance of the deadline to avoid last-minute challenges.

Conclusion

The ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students who aspire to build careers in investigative journalism. By combining $9,000 in financial support, year-long professional mentorship, and a fully funded journalism conference experience, the program equips participants with the resources, skills, and industry connections needed to thrive in one of journalism’s most impactful fields.

Beyond financial assistance, the program reflects ProPublica’s commitment to increasing diversity within investigative journalism by supporting talented students who may otherwise face barriers to entering the profession. If you are an undergraduate junior or senior with a passion for uncovering important stories, a commitment to public-interest reporting, and a demonstrated financial need, this program could serve as a transformative step toward a successful journalism career.

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