Local Reporting Network Fellow

Leyla; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary reimbursement program

Job summary

ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigative journalism and accountability reporting for the public interest. The Local Reporting Network funds yearlong projects and will reimburse participating newsrooms for the reporter’s salary up to specified caps for 2026 and 2027. Fellowships begin in winter 2026 onward with rolling deadlines and dates through 2028.

Open to English-language local and regional U.S. newsrooms, with staggered cohorts across seasons.

Qualifications

• Experience in investigative journalism.
• Strong understanding of local communities.
• Ability to meet rolling deadlines and work with diverse newsroom partners.

Responsibilities

• Fellowship positions with Local Reporting Network across U.S. newsrooms.
• Collaborate on accountability journalism projects with local editors.
• Contribute reporting and multimedia work as part of a multi-round fellowship program.

Skills

Investigative journalism

Local reporting

Fellowship eligibility

Job description

ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest.

The Local Reporting Network aims to be responsive to the needs of local journalists. There are multiple ways of working with us.

• The majority of our partnerships are yearlong accountability journalism projects of importance to local communities. We are taking on two more projects in 2026 and are recruiting for those right now. We will also be accepting 15 new projects in 2027. We will reimburse a news organization for the salary of the selected reporter (up to $80,000 for 2026 and $82,500 for 2027, plus a benefits stipend). These will be selected on a rolling basis, with specific deadlines for each round.
• Here are the details:
  • Winter 2026 opportunity
    Application deadline: Rolling, by Oct. 15, 2026.
    Open to: Newsrooms in the states listed as eligible through our 50 State Initiative. Fellowship dates: Flexible, to start on or before Jan. 1, 2027.
  • Spring 2027 cohort
    Application deadline: Rolling, no later than Jan. 25, 2027, by 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Open to: All applicants from English-language local and regional newsrooms in the United States and its territories.
    Fellowship dates: April 1, 2027, through March 31, 2028.
  • Summer 2027 cohort
    Application deadline: Rolling, no later than April 26, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Open to: Newsrooms in the states listed as eligible through our 50 State Initiative.
    Fellowships dates: July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028.
  • Fall cohort
    Application deadline: Rolling, no later than July 26, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Open to: Newsrooms in the remaining states listed as eligible through our 50 State Initiative.
    Fellowship dates: Oct. 1, 2027, through Sept. 30, 2028.

Sarah Blustain

Assistant Managing Editor/Local

ProPublica

631-903-0650 (cell)

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

We are dedicated to improving our newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people we cover. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.). We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.