Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027: Receive a $9,000 Stipend, Professional Mentorship, and Journalism Conference Support from ProPublica
Aspiring investigative journalists enrolled as undergraduate students can apply for the ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program 2026–2027 to receive a $9,000 stipend, mentorship, and conference support. The initiative seeks to support students facing financial barriers who are committed to public-interest journalism.
Overview
The ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program is an annual initiative created by ProPublica to support undergraduate students who face financial barriers to entering the journalism profession. Each year, five talented students are selected to participate in this competitive program, which aims to remove economic obstacles, provide meaningful guidance, and cultivate a more diverse generation of investigative journalists.
Benefits
- $9,000 Financial Stipend: Distributed in two installments of $4,500 to help participants focus on their journalism skills.
- Individual Mentorship: One-on-one guidance throughout the academic year from experienced ProPublica investigative journalists.
- Fully Funded Journalism Conference: Coverage for travel, accommodation, and participation expenses to attend a major conference such as the Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) Conference.
- Professional Networking: Opportunities to connect with reporters, editors, and fellow student journalists.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be undergraduate students entering their junior or senior year during the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Maintain a full academic course load throughout the program.
- Demonstrate financial need and an early commitment to journalism.
- Be legally eligible to file taxes in the United States, with the ability to provide a W-9 Form and a valid SSN or ITIN.
ProPublica strongly encourages applications from students belonging to groups traditionally underrepresented in journalism, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must submit their application through ProPublica's official application system before the deadline.
Deadline
Applications must be submitted by Monday, August 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET).