Introducing the 2026 Summer Investigative Interns

The Ida B. Wells Society has selected 16 collegiate and emerging journalists for its 2026 Summer Investigative Internship Program.

The cohort of students and recent college graduates will attend an internship boot camp in Atlanta in May and begin working in some of the nation’s most respected newsrooms across the country for 10-12 weeks. A few will work remotely.

The internship program is unique because it embeds students within newsroom investigative and data teams. Past participants have been involved in award-winning investigations and successfully launched full-time journalism careers.

“We are always thrilled to play a role in identifying and providing opportunities for talented young journalists,” said Robbie Morganfield, executive director of the Society. “It is particularly gratifying to do so when the industry is facing growing attacks from those who do not support evidence-based reporting for sometimes sinister reasons.”

The Society annually partners with newsrooms to offer internships. With support from foundations, it pays salaries and assists with housing expenses. News organizations agree to allow interns to work alongside investigative reporters and editors to learn and practice the tools associated with accountability journalism.

The Society believes that early exposure will position emerging journalists to eventually grow into full-time investigative reporters as their careers progress by integrating investigation tools into their work from the start of their careers.

“I am happy to report that young people continue to answer the call to speak truth to power, and legitimate news organizations continue to stand ready to provide them opportunities to begin doing so,” Morganfield said.

The 2026 cohort of Ida B. Wells Investigative interns includes: