The Al Accountability Fellowships seek to support staff and freelance journalists working on in-depth AI accountability stories that examine governments' and corporations’ uses of predictive and surveillance technologies to guide decisions in policing, medicine, social welfare, the criminal justice system, hiring, and more. View the 2022 AI Accountability Fellows here.

Ver los términos y detalles para postular en español.

Applications for the 2022 AI Accountability Fellowships are now closed. Thank you for your interest.

GRANT OVERVIEW

The eight-months-long Fellowship will provide journalists up to $20,000 to pursue their reporting project. The funds can be used to pay for records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends. In addition, the Fellows will have access to mentors and relevant training with a group of peers that will help strengthen their reporting projects.

Journalists need to apply with a reporting project they wish to pursue during their Fellowship. We encourage enterprise and accountability projects that use a variety of approaches—from data analysis, to records requests, and shoe-leather reporting—and delve into the real-world impact of algorithms on policy, individuals, and communities. 

While each Fellow will work on an individual reporting project, the Fellowship involves periodic discussions and trainings with the other Fellows. One of the key benefits of the Fellowship is the possibility to access a learning community of journalists facing similar reporting challenges as they pioneer the algorithmic accountability reporting field. 

We seek to support journalists and newsrooms that represent the diversity of the communities affected by AI, predictive, and surveillance technologies. We will encourage sharing of methodologies and lessons learned so each story can serve as a blueprint for other newsrooms pursuing similar projects. Here are a few AI accountability projects for inspiration: 

TO APPLY, YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

  • A short statement of purpose: How this Fellowship fits in your career path and why you are best positioned to be an Al Accountability Fellow. (250 words)
  • A detailed description of the reporting project you seek to pursue during your Fellowship. Please do not propose general themes, but propose a concrete project that shows some pre-reporting on the subject. A compelling, well-researched project proposal with a reporting plan will help you stand out among dozens of applicants. (250 words)
  • A budget that lays out anticipated costs of the project. Categories can include: records requests, software, data analysis, travel and lodging, and stipends. 
  • Three examples (links) of your best stories published in the past three years (not necessarily on AI accountability). 
  • A letter of commitment or interest from a media organization(s) that would publish your story(ies). 
  • Three professional references: These can be either contact information or letters of recommendation.
  • A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.

We encourage you to submit your application early. We will schedule interviews with finalists on a rolling basis. We encourage proposals from journalists and newsrooms that represent a broad array of social, racial, ethnic, and underrepresented groups, and economic backgrounds.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible to apply? 

  • Staff or freelance journalists working on a wide range of platforms, including print, radio, video, and multimedia.
  • Team players with the experience and/or ability to work collaboratively across newsrooms and borders.
  • Reporters with a deep interest in how AI impacts the world, and why this issue matters to our global well-being.
  • Reporters willing to participate in outreach activities related to their investigations, such as events at schools and universities.
  • Reporters can be based anywhere. The Fellowships are remote. 

What are the benefits of becoming an AI Accountability Fellow?  

  • The opportunity to work on an urgent, underreported issue for a substantial period of time
  • Access to mentors and specialized training opportunities
  • A community of like-minded colleagues that will continue beyond your Fellowship
  • Financial support to cover records requests, travel expenses, data analysis, and stipends

How much financial support will Fellows receive?

The Fellows are eligible to receive up to $20,000 divided in three payments. Please include a detailed budget explaining your reporting expenses. You may include a stipend to pay for your time if you are a freelancer. We expect newsrooms to pay for their staff members’ salaries. 

When does the Fellowship start and how long does it last? 

The Fellowship is expected to start in May and last through the end of 2022. 

How detailed should my project proposal be?

Your proposal should demonstrate that you have done pre-research on the stories you want to pursue, including hypotheses that guide the work, data sources, and methodology. We want to see that there is an ambitious, coherent, and realistic reporting plan in place. 

Is experience reporting on AI issues required? 

More important than experience reporting on AI is a track record of in-depth, nuanced and impactful reporting on issues that affect the communities you cover. Experience in investigative, data, and/or explanatory reporting is highly valued. 

What is the Pulitzer Center's role in the editorial process?

The Pulitzer Center will coordinate and support the Network, but the Fellows and their outlets will have total editorial independence to do their work. Fellows may seek guidance and advice from Pulitzer Center editors as needed.

Will Fellows have access to mentors and training opportunities? 

Yes, Fellows will have access to mentors from the Pulitzer Center network as needed, as well as training on various aspects of AI reporting. 

Can I apply with my team?

Yes, small teams of journalists are welcome to apply but we will still need a lead person to be the Fellow. Please explain who is in your team and what their roles are. Team members will be welcome to join trainings and meetings if they wish to.

Who is the primary funder of the Network?

The AI Accountability Network is funded with the support of the Open Society Foundations (OSF). Other funders may join during 2022. 

Is editorial independence guaranteed?

Totally. Without any restrictions.

How should I send my proposal? 

Proposals can be sent through this online form. Preferably they should be written in English, but we also accept submissions in Spanish. 

When is the deadline to apply for the AI Accountability Fellowship? 

Applications for the 2022 AI Accountability Fellowships are now closed. Thank you for your interest.

Additional questions?

Please contact Boyoung Lim at blim@pulitzercenter.org.