Emerging Reporters 2023-2023

The Emerging Reporters Program provides $9,000 stipends, along with mentoring and a trip to a journalism conference, such as the Investigative Reporters & Editors conference, to five students each year who work or want to work at college journalism outlets: newspapers, websites, radio stations or TV stations.

Apply by Tuesday, Aug. 15

Why does ProPublica’s Emerging Reporters Program exist?

People of color are underrepresented in our nation’s newsrooms. The most recent survey by the American Society of News Editors suggests that people of color make up a quarter of U.S. newsroom employees. Often, those numbers are even smaller in newsrooms focused on investigative reporting.

ProPublica has a vested interest in developing more journalists from diverse backgrounds, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged. We consider it crucial to the future of our industry and to our own ability to fulfill our mission, which is to expose abuses of power and produce journalism that provokes change. Without the voices and points of view of more journalists of color, there is every reason to believe that important stories are being overlooked. Barriers that keep aspiring journalists of color from entering the field include financial constraints and lack of access to mentors and training. The Emerging Reporters Program is aimed at lowering those barriers.

Who is eligible for this program?

The Emerging Reporters Program is specifically designed for talented aspiring journalists who find investigative journalism inaccessible for financial reasons. All students who will be juniors or seniors in college this academic year are eligible to apply, and students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in journalism, including people of color, are especially encouraged to do so. Participants are expected to take a full course load during the 2023-24 school year. Applicants must also demonstrate financial need.

The Emerging Reporters Program is only open to students who are eligible to file U.S. taxes and are able to provide a completed W-9 form, including U.S. citizens or U.S. residents. The W-9 form requires that each participant provide a valid Social Security number or individual taxpayer identification number. We will not make any exceptions to this rule.

When does the program typically run?

This year’s program will run from September to June, during which time mentors and program participants will be in contact by phone and email. Students will receive two stipends of $4,500 each, one at the beginning of the program and one at its midway point.