Deadline: 31-Dec-2025
The Pulitzer Center encourages proposals that use advanced data mining techniques, such as machine learning and natural language processing, to solve a data or reporting problem related to a journalistic investigation.
The focus areas for this grant include compelling data-driven storytelling based on original and transparent data collection and analysis, collaborative work across newsrooms or disciplines, and the combination of machine learning with geospatial analysis, satellite imagery, traditional reporting, and other innovative approaches. Journalists are encouraged to seek smart partnerships that complement their skills and perspectives.
The grant does not cover books (unless a story from the book is independently published), feature-length films, staff salaries, equipment purchases (except for rentals on a case-by-case basis), general outlet expenses, seed money for start-ups, routine breaking news coverage, advocacy campaigns, or projects aimed solely at academic research.
The Pulitzer Center considers projects of any scope or size and asks that only one proposal per journalist, data team, or newsroom be submitted, with a designated team leader. The grant opportunity is open to U.S. residents as well as journalists around the world, including freelancers, staff journalists, and collaborative newsroom teams. The center particularly encourages proposals from journalists and newsrooms representing a broad array of social, racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds, as well as underrepresented groups.
Successful proposals should include a clear description of the project, outlining the distribution plan and letters of interest or support from publishers or editors. Applicants must provide a detailed methodology describing their approach to collecting and analyzing the data, including fact-checking procedures and plans to make code or data publicly available after publication. A preliminary budget estimate should outline costs for travel, software, satellite/GIS, hardware, or consultant fees, excluding salaries for journalists employed by newsrooms. Applicants are also required to submit three examples of published work, three professional references, and a resume or curriculum vitae. Additional details on the project and reporting plan may also be included.
For more information, visit Pulitzer Center.