The Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship Program (US)

The Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship supports journalists of color who want to strengthen their investigative reporting skills through a year-long fellowship featuring mentorship, professional training, data journalism education, and conference participation. The fellowship is open to eligible U.S. journalists of color and international journalists producing investigative reporting for U.S.-based audiences.

About the Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship

The Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship is a professional development programme designed to increase diversity in investigative journalism while equipping journalists with advanced reporting skills, mentorship, and access to leading investigative journalism resources.

The fellowship enables participants to develop and complete an ambitious investigative reporting project while receiving guidance from experienced investigative journalists and participating in nationally recognized training programmes and conferences.

Programme Benefits

Selected fellows receive access to a comprehensive professional development programme that includes:

• Year-long investigative journalism mentorship.
• One-on-one guidance from experienced investigative journalists.
• Monthly mentor meetings via video calls.
• Investigative reporting project development support.
• Access to IRE data services.
• Participation in the IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp.
• Attendance at the NICAR Conference.
• Attendance at the IRE Conference.
• Opportunities to strengthen investigative reporting and data journalism skills.
• Professional networking with investigative journalists.

Programme Objectives

The fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen investigative journalism skills.
• Support high-quality investigative reporting.
• Increase diversity within investigative journalism.
• Build expertise in data journalism.
• Expand professional mentoring opportunities.
• Support journalists in producing impactful investigative stories.
• Develop long-term investigative reporting capacity.

Focus Areas

The fellowship supports projects and training related to:

• Investigative reporting.
• Data journalism.
• Investigative project development.
• Journalism mentorship.
• Data analysis.
• Public interest reporting.
• Evidence-based reporting.
• Professional journalism training.
• Diversity in investigative journalism.

Fellowship Expectations

Selected fellows are expected to:

• Develop and pitch an investigative reporting project.
• Produce the proposed investigative story during the fellowship.
• Participate in year-long training activities.
• Attend the required journalism conferences.
• Complete the IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp.
• Participate in monthly mentor meetings.
• Engage actively with assigned mentors.
• Secure organizational support for participation throughout the fellowship.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be a journalist of color.
• Be interested in strengthening investigative journalism skills.
• Have at least three years of professional experience after college.
• Be affiliated with a supportive newsroom or work independently.
• Submit a well-developed investigative project proposal.

International journalists are also eligible if their reporting is intended for a U.S.-based audience.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The fellowship does not accept applications from:

• Students.
• Applicants who do not meet the professional experience requirement.
• Individuals without a viable investigative project proposal.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• A resume or LinkedIn profile.
• Two published investigative journalism clips.
• A detailed investigative project proposal for the fellowship period.
• A letter of support from newsroom leadership confirming participation and institutional support.

Independent journalists must submit:

• A recommendation letter in place of the newsroom support letter.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Investigative journalism plays a critical role in promoting transparency, accountability, and informed public debate.

This fellowship helps journalists:

• Develop advanced investigative reporting skills.
• Learn modern data journalism techniques.
• Receive mentorship from experienced professionals.
• Build national investigative journalism networks.
• Produce impactful public-interest investigations.
• Increase representation and diversity within investigative journalism.

How the Fellowship Works

The fellowship follows a structured professional development model.

Step 1: Application

Applicants submit all required materials, including their investigative project proposal.

Step 2: Selection

Successful applicants are selected based on eligibility, investigative experience, and project quality.

Step 3: Mentorship

Each fellow works closely with experienced investigative journalism mentors throughout the fellowship.

Step 4: Professional Training

Participants complete specialized investigative reporting and data journalism training, including the IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp.

Step 5: Conference Participation

Fellows attend major investigative journalism conferences, including NICAR and the IRE Conference.

Step 6: Investigative Reporting Project

Participants complete and publish their investigative reporting project with mentorship and editorial support.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should:

1. Confirm that they meet all eligibility requirements.
2. Develop a strong investigative reporting project proposal.
3. Prepare a resume or LinkedIn profile.
4. Select two published investigative reporting samples.
5. Obtain a newsroom support letter or recommendation letter if applying independently.
6. Submit the complete application before the deadline.
7. If selected, commit to the year-long fellowship activities.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your application:

• Present a clear and compelling investigative story idea.
• Demonstrate previous investigative reporting experience.
• Show why the story is important to the public.
• Highlight your commitment to investigative journalism.
• Explain the feasibility of your proposed project.
• Include strong published reporting samples.
• Secure a detailed and supportive recommendation or newsroom letter.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common application errors:

• Submitting an underdeveloped project proposal.
• Providing reporting samples that are not investigative in nature.
• Applying without the required professional experience.
• Omitting the required support or recommendation letter.
• Failing to demonstrate organizational support.
• Submitting incomplete application materials.
• Applying as a current student.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship?

It is a year-long fellowship that provides investigative journalism training, mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities for journalists of color.

2. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include U.S. journalists of color with at least three years of post-college professional experience. International journalists may also apply if they produce reporting intended for U.S.-based audiences.

3. What training does the fellowship provide?

Participants receive mentorship, investigative reporting training, data journalism instruction, participation in the IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp, and attendance at the NICAR and IRE conferences.

4. Do applicants need newsroom support?

Yes. Journalists employed by news organizations must provide a letter of support from newsroom leadership. Independent journalists must submit a recommendation letter.

5. Are students eligible?

No. Students are not eligible for this fellowship.

6. What application materials are required?

Applicants must submit a resume or LinkedIn profile, two investigative journalism clips, a detailed investigative project proposal, and the required support or recommendation letter.

7. What is expected of selected fellows?

Fellows must actively participate in mentorship, complete required training, attend fellowship events and conferences, and produce the investigative reporting project proposed in their application.

Conclusion

The Chauncey Bailey Journalist of Color Investigative Reporting Fellowship offers a valuable opportunity for journalists of color to strengthen their investigative reporting skills through expert mentorship, advanced data journalism training, and professional networking. By supporting ambitious investigative projects and expanding diversity within investigative journalism, the fellowship helps participants produce impactful public-interest reporting while advancing their long-term careers.