Investigative Reporters and Editors - Freelance Fellowship 2026

📖 About the Fellowship

Created in 2008, the Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Freelance Fellowship supports nonfiction project proposals that demonstrate impact, breadth, and significance.

Eligible projects include:

• Books, documentaries, cable series, and other long-form projects.
• Shorter-term work such as video or audio projects for broadcast or online sites, articles for newspapers, magazines, online sites, and niche news publications.

Priority will be given to proposals that deal with:

• Whistleblowers.
• Business ethics.
• Privacy issues.

The fellowship is intended to support work that will primarily be published or broadcast in the U.S., targeting an audience that includes at least a part of the American public.

💰 Benefits

Long-Term Projects

• Up to $4,000 in funding.
• A one-year IRE membership.
• Attendance at either the NICAR or IRE Conference.
• A two-hour consultancy for reporting and legal services from Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE).

Short-Term Projects

• Up to $2,000 in funding.
• A one-year IRE membership.
• Attendance at either the NICAR or IRE Conference.
• A two-hour consultancy for reporting and legal services from Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE).

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

• Journalists who primarily make their living as freelancers.
• Freelancers who will publish their work primarily in the U.S., targeting an audience that includes at least a part of the American public.

Proposal Requirements

• Proposals must demonstrate impact, breadth, and significance.
• Priority will be given to proposals dealing with whistleblowers, business ethics, or privacy issues.
• The work must be intended for publication or broadcast in the U.S..

📝 Application Process

Required Materials

1. Three clips showcasing investigative work.
2. A detailed explanation of your freelance status to help the selection committee determine eligibility.
3. A description of your project, including:
   • How you plan to spend the fellowship funds.
   • Plans for raising additional funding if needed.
   • Where you hope to publish or air the project.
   • Details of any discussions with potential publishers or broadcast outlets.
   • If applicable, specifics of any signed contracts with publishers or outlets.
   • Expected timeline for delivering the project to a publisher or broadcaster.

📅 Application Deadline

01 September, 2026

🔗 Additional Information

For more details, visit the official Investigative Reporters and Editors - Freelance Fellowship page.

To apply, complete the application form.

• Long-term project – Up to $4,000, a one-year IRE membership, the choice of attending either NICAR or IRE Conference, and a two-hour consultancy for reporting and legal services from Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE).
• Short-term project – Up to $2,000, a one-year IRE membership, the choice of attending either NICAR or IRE Conference, and a two-hour consultancy for reporting and legal services from Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE).