Deadline: 15-Jul-2026
The Reporters’ Collective Long-Term Fellowship offers two 12-month fellowships for experienced investigative reporters and editors in India. Selected fellows receive Rs. 1,00,000 per month to produce evidence-based investigative journalism under the editorial supervision of an eligible independent newsroom.
Reporters’ Collective Long-Term Fellowship Overview
The Reporters’ Collective Long-Term Fellowship is designed to strengthen investigative journalism in India by supporting experienced reporters and editors who are committed to producing rigorous, evidence-based public interest investigations.
The fellowship enables participants to work with an independent newsroom, providing sustained financial support so they can focus on long-form investigative reporting without the pressure of short-term assignments.
The fellowship is anchored at independent newsrooms other than The Reporters’ Collective, ensuring editorial independence while promoting high-quality investigative journalism.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive:
- Number of fellowships: 2
- Monthly funding: Rs. 1,00,000
- Duration: 12 months
- Funding is inclusive of all applicable taxes.
- Editorial supervision from a participating independent newsroom.
- Opportunity to produce a sustained body of investigative work.
The financial support is intended to enable fellows to dedicate significant time to high-impact investigative journalism.
Objectives of the Fellowship
The fellowship aims to:
- Strengthen investigative journalism in India.
- Support evidence-based reporting.
- Encourage long-form investigative projects.
- Build partnerships between journalists and independent newsrooms.
- Promote accountability and public-interest journalism.
- Provide financial stability for investigative reporters and editors.
Focus Areas
The fellowship supports:
- Evidence-based investigative reporting.
- Long-term investigative journalism projects.
- Public-interest reporting.
- Editorial collaboration with independent newsrooms.
- High-quality investigative storytelling.
- Fact-based journalism grounded in thorough research and documentation.
Who Is Eligible?
The fellowship is open to experienced professionals working in investigative journalism.
Eligible applicants include:
- Investigative reporters.
- Editors specializing in investigative journalism.
The programme particularly encourages applications from journalists belonging to disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Have at least four years of experience in:
- Investigative reporting, or
- Investigative editing.
- Demonstrate strong experience in evidence-based investigative journalism.
- Be capable of producing or supervising high-quality investigative work.
- Obtain a letter of support from an eligible independent newsroom.
Newsroom Requirement
Applicants must secure support from a newsroom that:
- Is registered in India.
- Has a proven record of investigative journalism.
- Is willing to host the fellow throughout the fellowship.
- Provides editorial supervision for the proposed work.
A letter of support from the host newsroom is a mandatory application requirement.
What Fellows Will Do
During the 12-month fellowship, participants are expected to:
- Conduct evidence-based investigations.
- Produce a sustained body of investigative journalism.
- Work under editorial supervision.
- Follow high standards of journalistic ethics.
- Contribute impactful public-interest reporting.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The fellowship helps:
- Strengthen independent investigative journalism.
- Promote accountability and transparency.
- Support in-depth reporting on issues of public importance.
- Enable journalists to pursue complex investigations.
- Strengthen collaboration between investigative journalists and independent newsrooms.
- Increase diversity within investigative journalism by encouraging applications from underrepresented communities.
By providing year-long financial support, the programme allows fellows to focus on quality reporting without short-term financial pressures.
How to Apply
Follow these general steps:
- Confirm that you meet the minimum experience requirement.
- Develop an investigative journalism proposal or reporting plan.
- Identify an eligible independent newsroom registered in India.
- Obtain a formal letter of support from the newsroom.
- Prepare documentation demonstrating your investigative journalism experience.
- Complete the fellowship application.
- Submit all required materials before the application deadline.
Tips for a Strong Application
To strengthen your application:
- Highlight significant investigative reporting or editing experience.
- Demonstrate the impact of your previous investigations.
- Present a clear plan for future investigative work.
- Show your commitment to evidence-based journalism.
- Obtain strong editorial support from a reputable newsroom.
- Emphasize ethical reporting practices.
- Clearly explain the public importance of your investigative focus.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common application errors:
- Applying without the required four years of experience.
- Failing to obtain a newsroom support letter.
- Choosing a newsroom without an established investigative journalism record.
- Submitting incomplete application materials.
- Providing insufficient evidence of investigative journalism experience.
- Presenting vague or poorly defined investigative goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Reporters’ Collective Long-Term Fellowship?
It is a 12-month fellowship that supports experienced investigative reporters and editors in India to produce evidence-based investigative journalism under the editorial supervision of an independent newsroom.
2. How many fellowships are available?
The programme offers two long-term fellowships.
3. How much funding do selected fellows receive?
Each fellow receives Rs. 1,00,000 per month, inclusive of applicable taxes, for 12 months.
4. Who can apply?
Experienced investigative reporters and editors with at least four years of investigative journalism experience are eligible to apply.
5. Is newsroom support mandatory?
Yes. Applicants must obtain a letter of support from a newsroom registered in India with a proven track record of investigative journalism that agrees to host and supervise the fellowship.
6. Are journalists from underrepresented backgrounds encouraged to apply?
Yes. The programme specifically encourages applications from journalists belonging to disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds.
7. What type of work is expected during the fellowship?
Fellows are expected to produce a sustained body of rigorous, evidence-based investigative journalism under the editorial supervision of their host newsroom.
Conclusion
The Reporters’ Collective Long-Term Fellowship provides experienced investigative reporters and editors in India with a valuable opportunity to pursue ambitious public-interest journalism through 12 months of financial support worth Rs. 1,00,000 per month. By partnering with independent newsrooms and emphasizing rigorous, evidence-based reporting, the fellowship helps strengthen investigative journalism, promote accountability, and support impactful storytelling that serves the public interest.
For more information, visit The Reporters’ Collective.
