Artificial intelligence is reshaping societies worldwide, and the demand for rigorous reporting on its impact is growing. In response, the Pulitzer Centre has launched applications for its 2026 to 2027 AI Accountability Fellowships, offering journalists up to $25,000 in funding to investigate how AI technologies influence public life, governance, business, and human rights.
- Artificial intelligence is reshaping societies worldwide, and the demand for rigorous reporting on its impact is growing.
- In response, the Pulitzer Centre has launched applications for its 2026 to 2027 AI Accountability Fellowships, offering journalists up to...
- The programme encourages investigative, explanatory, and data-driven journalism that reveals how AI systems are built, funded, and deployed.
- Freelance journalists may also allocate part of the budget as a stipend for their time.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on accountability — everything you need to know is covered below.
Funding Journalists to Investigate AI’s Real-World Impact
The fellowship programme supports in-depth reporting projects that examine how governments and corporations use predictive, generative, and surveillance technologies. Areas of interest include policing, healthcare, social welfare, criminal justice, employment, and other sectors where AI-driven systems increasingly shape decision-making.
Organised by the pulitzercenter.org through its AI Accountability Network, the initiative seeks proposals that move beyond surface-level coverage and explore the opportunities, risks, and consequences associated with artificial intelligence. The programme encourages investigative, explanatory, and data-driven journalism that reveals how AI systems are built, funded, and deployed.
RelatedPosts
Selected fellows will participate in a 10-month programme running from September 2026 to July 2027. Alongside financial support, participants will gain access to mentorship, specialised training, assistance with legal and public records, and a global community of journalists working on AI-related investigations.
Up to $25,000 Available for Reporting Projects
Each fellow may receive up to $25,000, with up to $20,000 allocated for reporting activities and up to $5,000 reserved for audience engagement initiatives. Funding can cover expenses such as travel, records requests, data analysis, and other reporting costs. Freelance journalists may also allocate part of the budget as a stipend for their time.
For the first time, the fellowship will also provide support for impact planning. Journalists will receive guidance on developing strategies to ensure their investigations reach key audiences. Activities may include public discussions, partnerships with content creators, community outreach projects, and other engagement efforts that extend the reach of published work.
Global Journalists Encouraged to Apply
The Pulitzer Centre welcomes applications from staff reporters, freelancers, and small reporting teams working across print, audio, video, and multimedia formats. Journalists from any country may apply, although the organisation particularly encourages proposals from the Global South and from newsrooms that reflect the diversity of communities affected by AI technologies.
Applicants must submit a detailed reporting proposal, a statement explaining their interest in the fellowship, a budget, work samples, references, and evidence of publication support from a media outlet. Successful candidates will be expected to participate in monthly meetings, training sessions, and collaborative activities throughout the programme.
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 AI Accountability Fellowships close on 12 July 2026. As artificial intelligence continues to influence public policy and everyday life, the Pulitzer Centre aims to strengthen reporting that brings transparency and accountability to one of the world’s fastest-evolving technologies.