Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships

The AI Accountability Fellowships aim to support journalists and newsrooms that represent the diversity of communities impacted by AI technologies. These fellowships are designed to foster in-depth reporting on the use of predictive and surveillance technologies by governments and corporations in areas such as policing, medicine, social welfare, criminal justice, and hiring.

📝 About the Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships

The Pulitzer Center is recruiting 8 to 10 journalists from around the world to report on the impacts of algorithmic and automated systems on their communities. Journalists from the Global South and underrepresented communities in the media are especially encouraged to apply.

Key Details:

• Date Published: June 25, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 11, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, Training

The fellowship is open to reporters from all beats, desks, and formats who want to broaden, deepen, and diversify reporting on artificial intelligence with an accountability lens.

🎯 Fellowship Focus Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose enterprise and accountability projects that:

• Use approaches like data analysis, records requests, and on-the-ground reporting.
• Examine the real-world impact of algorithms on policy, individuals, and communities.

Special Emphasis for 2025:

The fellowship will support at least two projects focusing on transparency and governance in relation to AI, including:

• Following financial flows across borders.
• Investigating opaque and harmful AI supply chains.
• Reporting on legislation, business practices, and organizations that exacerbate the lack of accountability and transparency in AI systems.

💡 Benefits of the Fellowship

The 10-month Fellowship offers the following benefits:

• Funding: Up to $20,000 to cover reporting project costs, including records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• Mentorship and Training: Access to mentors and specialized training with a group of peers to strengthen reporting projects.
• Community Building: Join a network of like-minded colleagues that extends beyond the fellowship.
• Pro Bono Support: Legal and public records access assistance.
• Collaboration Opportunities: Find strong collaborators for your project or future endeavors.
• Focus on Underreported Issues: Work on urgent, underreported topics for a substantial period.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to:

• Staff or freelance journalists working on various platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
• Team players with experience or the ability to collaborate across newsrooms and borders.
• Reporters with a deep interest in AI's global impact and its importance to societal well-being.
• Journalists willing to participate in outreach activities, such as events at schools, universities, and public forums.
• Reporters based anywhere in the world (the fellowship is remote).

📋 Application Process

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Statement of Purpose (500 words): Explain how this fellowship aligns with your career path and why you are best suited for it.
2. Project Proposal (500 words): Provide a detailed description of the reporting project you plan to pursue, including pre-reporting and a compelling reporting plan.
3. Budget: Outline anticipated costs (e.g., records requests, software, data analysis, travel, stipends). If the budget exceeds $20,000, include other funding sources.
4. Work Samples: Three examples of your best stories published in the past three years (not necessarily on AI).
5. Letter of Commitment: A letter from a media organization(s) expressing interest in publishing your story or, for staff reporters, a letter from your editor confirming newsroom support.
6. References: Three professional references (contact information or letters of recommendation).
7. Resume/CV: A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.

Application Portal:

• Apply here.

📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: August 11, 2025

🌐 Additional Information

For more details, visit the Pulitzer Center AI Accountability Fellowships page.

This fellowship is a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful journalism on the intersection of AI and accountability. Don't miss the chance to make a difference!

• The 10-month Fellowship will provide journalists up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting project. The funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• The Fellows will have access to mentors and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.
• The opportunity to work on an urgent, underreported issue for a substantial period of time.
• Access to mentors and specialized training opportunities.
• Pro bono legal and public records access support.
• A community of like-minded colleagues that will continue beyond your Fellowship.
• Financial support to cover records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends.
• The opportunity to find strong collaborators for your project or future projects.