The Pulitzer Center is enabling journalists to cover relevant and timely stories about the fast-evolving world of science specific to global health and development. 

How to Apply
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GRANT OVERVIEW

The Pulitzer Center is enabling journalists to cover relevant and timely stories about the fast-evolving world of science specific to global health and development. 

We aim to bridge the information gap between the scientific community and U.S.  local news audiences through high-quality journalism. Grantees will produce engaging, evidence-driven stories that enrich understanding, reduce public misperceptions, and raise awareness about vital public health R&D, medical research and innovation related to today’s top global health challenges. 

We’re seeking proposals from freelance and staff journalists, partnered with U.S. local news outlets, who need support for their in-depth reporting on research and innovation related to global health-related topics. 

We support the travel and hard costs of reporting and welcome proposals for all storytelling formats such as broadcast TV/radio, multimedia, podcast, data journalism, photojournalism, digital and print. We are also eager to support data-driven journalism projects or projects featuring data visuals related to timely, vital Global Health topics. This opportunity is open to any staff or freelance reporters who will publish their reporting with U.S. local or regional news outlets. 

Here are a few Center-supported reporting projects for inspiration:

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

  • A description of the proposed project in no more than 250 words. 
  • A preliminary budget estimate, including a basic breakdown of costs. 
  • A compelling distribution plan with letters of support from publishers and/or broadcasters.

We aim to support teams that reflect the communities they report on. We hope this grant can help our partner organizations advance their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals and commitments.

We accept grant proposals on a rolling basis. Please refer to “Tips for Writing a Successful Pulitzer Center Grant Proposal” for more information on how to apply.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who is eligible to apply?

This opportunity is open to U.S. residents.  We are open to proposals from freelance journalists, staff journalists, or groups of newsrooms working in collaboration with a project idea. We want to make sure that people from many backgrounds and perspectives are empowered to produce journalism. We strongly encourage proposals from journalists and newsrooms who represent a broad array of social, racial, ethnic, underrepresented groups, and economic backgrounds.

When will you be notifying applicants on whether they've been selected?

We begin reviewing applications as soon as they are received and typically notify applicants within a month if they're being considered for support.  If there is some urgency to the field reporting, the applicant should state the reason in the application.

What is the budget range for proposals?

We do not have a budget range. We will consider projects of any scope and size, and we are open to supporting multiple projects each year. 

Do you pay stipends or salaries for freelance journalists?

We expect news organizations to pay freelance journalists for their work, though in exceptional cases, we may consider stipends to cover a reporter's time, if provided in the budget with an explanation.  It is OK to include costs of contractors, such as data researchers, illustrators, or data visualization/story designers in your proposal and budget. Please do not include stipends for journalists/team members who are in the employ of newsrooms or are being paid by a publisher.

What are examples of editorial products or project expenses that the Pulitzer Center grants DON’T cover? 

  • Books (we can support a story that might become part of a book, as long as the story is published independently in a media outlet) 
  • Feature-length films (we do support short documentaries with ambitious distribution plans) 
  • Staff salaries 
  • Equipment purchases (equipment rentals are considered on a case-by-case basis) 
  • An outlet’s general expenses (for example rent, utilities, insurance) 
  • Seed money for start-ups
  • Routine breaking news and coverage 
  • Advocacy/marketing campaigns 
  • Data projects aimed solely at academic research. Data should be developed to enhance/support journalism. 

More questions?

Email us at [email protected]. We check emails daily and look forward to hearing from you.

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