The Ida B. Wells Society Investigative Reporting Fellowship is back for 2026! 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. During training, participants will work on projects they have proposed for publication in their respective newsrooms.
Who should apply
The fellowship is intended for journalists not presently assigned to investigative teams. Freelance journalists also are invited to apply.
Journalists with 3-5 years of professional experience are encouraged to apply.
In-Person Trainings
The selected journalists will join the Society in Atlanta for up to a week, once a month from March 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, digital 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 at 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
Let us answer your questions about the program!
We’re hosting an information session on Monday, Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. ET. Join us to learn about the program and get tips on how to make your application competitive.
2025 Investigative Reporting Fellows
Our 10 inaugural Investigative Reporting Fellows hailed from all over the country and worked on projects ranging from technology’s impacts on humans to international aid to university DEI rollback impacts.
Learn more about the Fellows and their work here.
