Deadline: 12-Jul-2026
The AI Accountability Fellowship Program supports journalists investigating how governments and corporations use artificial intelligence, predictive systems, generative AI, and surveillance technologies in areas such as policing, healthcare, hiring, criminal justice, and social welfare. The 10-month remote fellowship provides funding, mentorship, legal support, training, and collaboration opportunities for impactful investigative reporting projects.
Selected Fellows can receive up to $25,000 in total funding, including reporting and audience engagement support, while participating in a global network of journalists focused on AI accountability and public-interest technology reporting.
Overview of the AI Accountability Fellowship Program
The AI Accountability Fellowship Program is designed to support investigative journalists reporting on the societal impacts of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making systems.
The Fellowship encourages in-depth reporting projects examining how AI technologies affect communities, governance, human rights, public services, and accountability systems worldwide.
The programme supports both individual journalists and collaborative reporting teams working across borders and media platforms.
Key Focus Areas
The Fellowship supports reporting projects related to:
- Predictive policing technologies
- Generative AI systems
- Surveillance technologies
- AI in healthcare and medicine
- AI-driven hiring systems
- Criminal justice technologies
- Social welfare algorithms
- Government use of AI systems
- Corporate accountability and automated decision-making
Projects should investigate the real-world impact of AI technologies on society, transparency, fairness, inclusion, and human rights.
Fellowship Benefits
Selected Fellows will receive:
- Funding support
- Mentorship opportunities
- Investigative journalism training
- Community engagement guidance
- Collaboration opportunities
- Legal and public records support
The programme also provides access to a global network of journalists and experts working on AI accountability reporting.
Funding Details
Fellows may receive up to:
- Total Funding: Up to $25,000
Reporting Support
Up to $20,000 may be used for:
- Records requests
- Travel expenses
- Lodging
- Software tools
- Data analysis
- Investigative reporting costs
Engagement Support
Up to $5,000 may support:
- Public events
- Community engagement activities
- Venue rentals
- Outreach materials
- Exhibitions
- Printing costs
- Social media advertising
Freelancers may allocate up to one-third of the total funding as a stipend for their time.
Fellowship Duration and Format
- Duration: 10 months
- Format: Remote/Virtual
Fellows will participate in:
- Monthly virtual meetings
- Community discussions
- Online collaboration activities
- Peer learning sessions
- At least one community call during the Fellowship period
Additional Support and Opportunities
The programme offers:
- Specialized investigative reporting training
- Access to experienced mentors
- Pro bono legal support
- Public records assistance
- Cross-border collaboration opportunities
- Networking with other AI accountability journalists
The Fellowship also promotes audience engagement and community-centered journalism practices.
Who is Eligible?
The Fellowship is open to journalists worldwide.
Eligible applicants include:
- Staff journalists
- Freelance journalists
- Print reporters
- Radio journalists
- Video journalists
- Multimedia reporters
- Cross-border investigative teams
The programme particularly encourages applications from:
- Journalists based in the Global South
- Diverse and underrepresented newsrooms
- Reporters covering marginalized communities
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate interest in AI accountability reporting
- Propose an investigative reporting project
- Be willing to participate in public engagement activities
- Commit to Fellowship meetings and collaboration activities
Fellowship activities and training will be conducted in English, but published reporting may be produced in any language.
Why the Fellowship Matters
Artificial intelligence technologies increasingly influence major decisions affecting people’s lives, including policing, healthcare, employment, and access to public services.
However, concerns around:
- Bias and discrimination
- Privacy violations
- Lack of transparency
- Surveillance risks
- Accountability gaps
- Human rights impacts
continue to grow globally.
The Fellowship aims to strengthen investigative journalism that examines these issues and promotes public understanding and accountability.
How the Fellowship Works
The programme supports journalists from project development through publication and audience engagement.
Fellowship Process
- Submission of reporting project proposal
- Selection of Fellows
- Participation in training and mentorship
- Development of investigative reporting project
- Community engagement and outreach activities
- Publication and dissemination of reporting outcomes
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Propose a clear and impactful investigation
- Explain why the story matters to the public
- Demonstrate understanding of AI-related issues
- Include realistic reporting plans and budgets
- Highlight community impact and engagement strategies
- Show experience in investigative or accountability journalism
Strong applications usually include:
- Clear research questions
- Evidence of feasibility
- Cross-border or collaborative elements
- Public-interest relevance
- Innovative storytelling approaches
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the AI Accountability Fellowship Program?
It is a global fellowship supporting journalists investigating the societal impacts of AI and automated technologies.
Who can apply?
Staff and freelance journalists from anywhere in the world can apply.
What types of reporting projects are supported?
The programme supports investigations into AI systems used in policing, healthcare, hiring, surveillance, criminal justice, social welfare, and related sectors.
How much funding is available?
Selected Fellows can receive up to $25,000 in total funding.
Can freelancers apply?
Yes, freelancers are eligible and may allocate part of the funding as a stipend.
Is the Fellowship remote?
Yes, the entire 10-month programme is conducted remotely.
In what language are Fellowship activities conducted?
Meetings, training, and discussions are conducted in English, but stories may be published in any language.
Conclusion
The AI Accountability Fellowship Program 2026 offers a major opportunity for journalists investigating the growing impact of artificial intelligence on society. Through funding, mentorship, legal support, and collaborative learning, the Fellowship helps strengthen accountability reporting on AI systems used by governments and corporations worldwide.
By supporting public-interest journalism and community-centered engagement, the programme aims to promote transparency, ethical technology use, and informed public debate around the future of AI and automated decision-making.
For more information, visit Pulitzer Center.