Ancil Payne Reporting Fellowship

ProPublica is looking for a two-year Ancil Payne Reporting Fellow to join one of America’s most innovative investigative newsrooms. We’re not interested in having you cover daily news. Your job will be to do enterprising, hard-hitting stories. Our newsroom zigs where others zag, taking on overlooked topics or telling stories in new and exciting ways.

Over the course of two years, we expect the fellow to take on a mix of short-, medium- and long-term stories. That includes reporting and writing stories of your own (here are some examples of other fellows’ work) and collaborating on some of ProPublica’s biggest and most complex projects, like this one about the dangers of certain booster seats that prompted a congressional investigation. We hope the fellow will take on increasingly complex stories during their time on our staff, working independently and with colleagues.

We’re looking for someone who:

Has at least three and no more than seven years of professional journalism experience, and is eager to develop their investigative reporting skills.
Has produced original, revelatory, in-depth or investigative stories. You don’t have to be an “investigative reporter,” but you do have to have shown a dedication to digging for the truth, holding people and institutions accountable, and pointing to possible solutions.
Aches to report stories that are both important and powerfully told.
Is truly excited about all the possible ways we can do journalism nowadays, including digging deep into data, working with readers, and marrying narrative and investigative forms.
Brings perspectives and life experiences that point to unique stories and untapped potential for holding the powerful accountable.
Really likes working with others.

The fellowship starts in January 2024 and runs for two years. The role is based out of our headquarters in New York. We are not open to remote applicants. Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

The salary for this full-time position is $75,000 per year and includes benefits. Read more information about ProPublica’s benefits.

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person’s experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.