Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships 2026–2027
The Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships 2026–2027 support journalists investigating the impacts of algorithmic and automated systems on their communities. The 10-month fellowship starts in September 2026. Selected fellows receive financial support, mentorship, training, and access to a peer community while developing in-depth reporting projects.
Quick Overview
Programme: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Accountability Fellowships
Organization: Pulitzer Center
Opportunity Type: Journalism fellowship
Cohort Size: 8–10 journalists
Duration: 10 months
Start Date: September 2026
Application Deadline: 12 July 2026
About the Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships
The Pulitzer Center is accepting applications for the fifth cohort of its AI Accountability Fellowships. The programme supports reporting projects that document and explain the opportunities, harms, regulatory issues, and labor concerns surrounding AI systems.
Projects can examine how AI systems are funded, built, and deployed by corporations, governments, and other powerful actors. The Pulitzer Center welcomes proposals covering a broad range of issues across the AI supply chain.
Fellowship Financial Support
Selected journalists receive up to $25,000 for their reporting projects.
The available support includes:
✓ Up to $20,000 for reporting activities
✓ Up to $5,000 for engagement activities
✓ Funding for records requests
✓ Travel expenses
✓ Data analysis costs
✓ Stipends
✓ Support for developing and executing an impact plan
Impact Plan for Each Investigation
The fellowship includes funding, mentorship, and training to help fellows create an impact plan for their investigations. The aim is to reach strategic audiences.
Engagement activities may include:
• Building partnerships with content creators to reach online communities
• Creating a zine for a local library
• Organizing discussions with civil society, industry representatives, and government officials
Who Can Apply?
The Pulitzer Center is recruiting eight to 10 journalists from around the world.
The programme encourages applications from:
• Journalists from the Global South
• Journalists from communities that are underrepresented in the media
• Journalists reporting on the impacts of algorithmic and automated systems in their communities
Mentorship, Training, and Peer Support
Fellows receive access to mentors from different fields. They also take part in relevant training with a group of peers to strengthen their reporting projects.
The fellowship provides a space for journalists from different parts of the world to share perspectives, identify connections between their investigations, and learn from each other.
Participation Requirements
Successful applicants must:
• Join a mandatory monthly meeting lasting between 1.5 and 2 hours
• Contribute to at least one community call during the fellowship
• Engage with other fellows through virtual meetings
• Participate on the community’s dedicated online platform
• Share methodologies and lessons learned from their reporting
Fellows are also encouraged to attend a monthly virtual training session.
Application Deadline
Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are open until 12 July 2026.
