Journalists with 3-5 years of professional experience are encouraged to apply.
The Ida B. Wells Society is thrilled to launch its investigative reporting fellowship for 2025! This no-cost, intensive program will bring professional journalists to Atlanta to sharpen their investigative reporting skills under the guidance of some of the most accomplished reporters and editors in the industry. The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Up to 12 fellowships will be awarded.
During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply.
The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from February through July to delve into topics related to investigative reporting including:
- The Investigative Reporting Mindset
- Data Journalism
- Process and Development
- Interviewing and Writing for Investigations
Interested applicants must work with their newsroom leadership to ensure their availability to attend. Proposed projects should also be cleared by leadership to ensure their publication upon completion.
Eligibility requirements
- Applicants must have at least three years of professional news reporting experience.
- The program is open to U.S.-based print, broadcast, online and multimedia journalists.
- Applicants must provide a resume, examples of previous written work, a project pitch, and be available for phone interviews if requested.
- Applicants must be able to participate in four weeklong training sessions in Atlanta, (approx. 16 days of instruction; 24 days including travel, which will call for arriving in Atlanta on Sundays and departing on Fridays or Saturdays). Training weeks will be scattered throughout the year.
- Applicants must submit letters from their employers indicating that they will be allowed to participate in the fellowship program and that their investigative work produced during the program will be published (more details of employer requirements below).
- Freelancers must have a news organization willing to write a supportive statement and agreement to publish their work.
Requirements of applicant’s employer
- Allow participants to continue to earn their salaries while taking part in training in Atlanta without using any accrued vacation time. There will be four weeklong training courses scattered throughout the year.
- Provide support and guidance to the participants as they take part in the program and work to develop a proposed project.
- Publish the project.
Fellowship applications close on Friday, December 6 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Need more information?
The Ida B. Wells Society will host an information session to answer questions about the Fellowship program on Monday, November 11 at 7 p.m. EST. News directors, editors, and potential applicants are welcome to attend this virtual meeting to learn more about this fellowship and why they should be a part of it.
