The Pulitzer Center is offering journalism grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to report on the effects of cuts to U.S. health aid in the Global South, particularly focusing on children’s and women’s health, HIV control, and malnutrition programs. The initiative seeks impactful projects across various media formats and encourages freelancers with U.S. outlet interest to apply. The deadline for applications is March 30, 2026.

About the Grants

The Pulitzer Center has launched a call for journalism grants to cover the effects of cuts to U.S. health aid in the Global South. The initiative aims to support reporting that highlights how reductions in USAID and other funding sources are threatening health advances in regions like Africa and beyond.

Focus Areas

Priority topics for this call include:

Children’s Health
Women’s Health, particularly maternal care
HIV control and treatment
Malnutrition, starvation, and waterborne diseases
Changes in ground-level aid programs or scientific research

The Pulitzer Center encourages urgent reporting on how cuts to U.S. funding are leaving health initiatives in these regions uncertain, and how these changes are underreported. While the focus is on the impacts of aid cuts, other health-related stories are also welcome.

Grant Details

Funding Range

$5,000 to $20,000
Budgets outside this range will be considered if there is a strong potential for reach and impact.
Freelancers: Budgets can include a reasonable stipend, but should primarily cover travel and reporting expenses.

Grant Objective

This grant is designed to support journalistic reporting projects that:

Provide comprehensive coverage of the impact of USAID and health funding cuts
Feature ambitious and impactful storytelling
Have the potential to reach large audiences, particularly in the U.S.

Projects can be presented in any of the following formats:

Text
Visual
Audio
Multimedia

Who Can Apply

Staff reporters or editors from U.S. newsrooms
Freelancers with a commitment or interest from a U.S. outlet or any outlet with a significant U.S. audience

Application Deadline

The deadline for submission is March 30, 2026, with applications being reviewed on a rolling basis until the final date.

How to Apply

Prepare your proposal that addresses one or more of the priority topics mentioned.
Demonstrate the potential for impact, especially in terms of reach to U.S. audiences.
Provide a budget that aligns with your proposed project scope and ambition.
Freelancers should show a commitment or interest from a U.S. outlet.
Submit your proposal before the March 30, 2026 deadline.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. Who is eligible to apply for these grants?

Staff reporters or editors with a U.S. newsroom, or
Freelancers with a commitment or strong interest from a U.S. outlet or one with a significant U.S. audience.

2. What kind of stories are eligible?
The grants are intended for stories focusing on the effects of U.S. health aid cuts in the Global South, particularly on children’s health, women’s health, and infectious diseases like HIV. Other health-related stories are also welcome.

3. What is the funding range?
Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000. Proposals requesting more significant funding will need to demonstrate a strong potential for reach and impact.

4. Can freelancers apply for this grant?
Yes, freelancers can apply, but they must have a commitment or at least a strong interest from a U.S. outlet or an outlet with a significant U.S. audience.

5. What is the deadline for submission?
The final deadline for applications is March 30, 2026. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

6. What types of media formats are allowed?
Grants can support text, visual, audio, and multimedia formats, depending on the proposed project.

7. Can the grant funds be used for travel expenses?
Yes, the grant funds can be used for travel and other reporting expenses. Freelancers may include a reasonable stipend in their budget.

Conclusion

The Pulitzer Center Journalism Grants offer an excellent opportunity for journalists to report on the profound effects of U.S. health aid cuts in the Global South. By supporting ambitious, high-impact reporting, the program seeks to shed light on how these funding reductions are impacting health progress in vulnerable regions, while encouraging connection to U.S. audiences. Apply by March 30, 2026, to make a difference in global health storytelling.