There are just a few days left to apply for the 2025–2026 AI Accountability Fellowships from the Pulitzer Center, a 10-month program that supports journalists investigating the real-world impact of artificial intelligence technologies.

Applications are open until August 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT.

Image source: Envato

The AI Accountability Fellowships seek to support journalists working on in-depth stories that examine how governments and corporations use predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring, and more.

The program is open to journalists from all beats, formats, and newsroom types, including freelancers, and places particular emphasis on applicants from the Global South and underrepresented communities. All applicants must propose a concrete reporting project to be pursued during the fellowship period.

Image source: Envato

Fellowship Overview:

Duration: 10 months (September 2025 – July 2026)
Funding: Up to $20,000 per fellow
Focus areas: Transparency, governance, cross-border financial flows, opaque supply chains, and the lack of accountability in AI systems
Eligible uses: Records requests, data analysis, travel, stipends, software

Journalists are encouraged to submit well-researched, pre-reported proposals that use a variety of investigative methods, including data analysis, public records requests, and traditional field reporting.

Fellows will also receive access to mentorship, peer support, and training, and are expected to:

  • Attend a 1.5–2 hour mandatory meeting each month
    Participate in at least one community call
    Engage with others via the program’s dedicated online platform
    Share methodologies and lessons learned to support similar work in other newsrooms

AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.
AI Usage Notice: In preparing this article, AI tools were used with careful human oversight and editing. We believe in transparency regarding the use of AI in our work.

Application Requirements:

To apply, candidates must submit:

  • A statement of purpose (500 words)
  • A detailed project description (500 words)
  • A budget (up to $20,000; other sources must be disclosed if over)
  • Three published stories from the past three years
  • A letter of commitment or interest from a media outlet
  • Three professional referencesA CV or résumé

More information and application details: Open Call for Proposals for Pulitzer Center’s AI Accountability Fellowships (2025-2026) | Pulitzer Center

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