ProPublica Emerging Reporters Program

ProPublica's Emerging Reporters Program supports five college students each year who work or want to work at college journalism outlets and are pursuing careers in investigative journalism. Each participant receives a $9,000 stipend paid in two installments, one-on-one mentorship from ProPublica journalists, occasional trainings and an all-expenses-paid trip to the annual NICAR investigative journalism conference.

The program is designed for students who find investigative journalism financially inaccessible: applicants must demonstrate financial need, be undergraduate juniors or seniors during the program year taking a full course load, and be eligible to file U.S. taxes. Students from groups traditionally underrepresented in journalism are especially encouraged to apply.

Applications are submitted online through ProPublica and are due August 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. ET.