Emerging Reporters 2025-2026

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. 

What is ProPublica’s Emerging Reporters Program?

The Emerging Reporters Program provides $9,000 stipends, along with mentoring and a trip to a journalism conference, such as the Investigative Reporters & Editors conference, to five students each year who work or want to work at college journalism outlets: newspapers, websites, radio stations or TV stations. 

Apply by Monday, Aug. 18, at 9 a.m. ET

Why does ProPublica’s Emerging Reporters Program exist?

ProPublica has a vested interest in developing more journalists from a wide range of backgrounds, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. We consider it crucial to the future of our industry and to our own ability to fulfill our mission, which is to expose abuses of power and produce journalism that provokes change.

Without the voices and points of view of more journalists from diverse backgrounds, there is every reason to believe that important stories are being overlooked. Barriers that keep aspiring journalists from entering the field include financial constraints and lack of access to mentors and training. The Emerging Reporters Program is aimed at lowering those barriers and encouraging the next generation of journalists. 

Who is eligible for this program?

The Emerging Reporters Program is specifically designed for talented aspiring journalists who find investigative journalism inaccessible for financial reasons. All students who will be undergraduate juniors or seniors in college this academic year are eligible to apply, and students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in journalism are especially encouraged to do so. Participants are expected to take a full course load during the 2025-26 school year. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need.

In choosing the class, we look for students who demonstrate an early dedication to journalism as a career, through internships, work at local news outlets or work at campus publications. And where those opportunities — which are often unpaid — aren’t accessible, we look for other ways the student has shown an eagerness and a drive to learn the craft.

The Emerging Reporters Program is open only to students who are eligible to file U.S. taxes and are able to provide a completed W-9 form, including U.S. citizens or U.S. residents. The W-9 form requires that each participant provide a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. We will not make any exceptions to this rule.

When does the program typically run?

This year’s program will run from late September to June, during which time mentors and program participants will be in contact by phone and email. Students will receive two stipends of $4,500 each, one at the beginning of the program and one at its midway point.

How do the mentorships work? Do I get to choose my mentor or is one assigned to me?

The program director will take into account the interests expressed in your application to match you with one of our great journalists for the year.

Do students need to pay for their own expenses for the conference? 

No! Accommodations and other expenses for the conference will be covered by ProPublica. The dates of the conferences are to be determined.

If I have any questions that weren’t answered here, whom do I contact?

Email Assistant Managing Editor Talia Buford at talent@propublica.org with any additional questions.

No phone calls, please.

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.