Financial Grant of $10,000 for Freelance Journalists to Support Data Journalism Projects Worldwide

The Pulitzer Center invites applications for data journalism grants supporting innovative reporting projects that use data to spotlight underreported issues. The opportunity is open to U.S. residents and journalists around the world, including freelancers, newsroom staff, and newsroom collaborations. Applications are reviewed on a rolling, first-come basis, with no fixed deadline.

About the Data Journalism Grant

The grant supports data-driven journalism built on original data collection and analysis, compelling storytelling, and strong visuals. The Pulitzer Center welcomes proposals that use advanced data techniques and encourage collaboration among newsrooms across state lines or national borders. Suggested methods include data mining, machine learning, natural language processing, spatial data analysis, satellite imagery, drones, and sensors. Proposed reporting should have the potential to shape public discourse and hold the powerful accountable.

Projects of any scope and size may be considered, and there is no set budget range. Most awards for past data journalism projects have been between $10,000 and $20,000, though support may be higher or lower depending on the circumstances. The Center is open to supporting multiple projects each year. Applicants are usually notified within a month if their project is being considered for support. Applicants with urgent field reporting needs should explain the reason for urgency in the application.

Freelance journalists are generally expected to be paid by news organizations. In exceptional cases, the Center may consider a stipend for a reporter’s time if the budget includes an explanation. Budgets may include contractor fees, such as costs for data researchers or data visualization and story designers. The application asks for a preliminary budget covering project costs, which may include travel, software, satellite or GIS costs, and hardware costs.

To compare this opportunity with other grants and funding opportunities, applicants can also browse other opportunities for youth.

Who Should Apply

This grant is intended for freelance data journalists, staff journalists, or groups of newsrooms working together on a data project. Applicants may be based in the United States or elsewhere in the world. The Center strongly encourages proposals from journalists and newsrooms representing a broad range of social, racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, including underrepresented groups. Each proposal should have one team leader, and only one project may be submitted per journalist, data design team, or newsroom.

Key Highlights

• Funding for innovative data-driven journalism and reporting on underreported issues.
• Open to U.S. residents and journalists worldwide.
• Most past awards were between $10,000 and $20,000; awards may be higher or lower.
• Applications are reviewed as they arrive, with no fixed deadline.
• Applicants are typically notified within a month if their project is being considered for support.