Call for Tarbell Grants for Original Reporting on AI Online in 2026 is open now!!!
The Tarbell Center offers grants designed to support journalists, writers, and researchers working on projects that advance public understanding of economic inequality and related issues. These grants provide funding for independent reporting, long-form writing, and investigative projects, with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and impact.
As artificial intelligence grows more influential, the companies building it and the policymakers regulating it warrant the kind of scrutiny that journalism exists to provide. They believe rigorous, independent reporting serves the public interest—demystifying technical developments, following the money, and documenting what happens when these systems enter the real world.
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Tarbell offers grants of $1,000–$20,000 to support original reporting on AI published in established outlets, whether from freelancers or staff. They primarily fund written journalism but are open to supporting other formats.
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1. Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
2. Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
3. Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
4. Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
5. Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
This round, they are seeking applications across six focus areas:
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Accountability reporting on frontier AI companies
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AI policy and politics
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AI explainers and analysis
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AI in government and militaries
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AI labor impacts
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AI developments in China
They welcome submission from all experienced journalists and media creators: both staff writers/editors/producers and freelancers are welcome to apply. Journalists with an investigative background are particularly encouraged to apply. A background in reporting on AI and/or technology is desirable, but not mandatory. You do not need to have an outlet secured before applying, although we encourage it. If you can’t secure a letter of interest from an editor before your application, they will ask you to obtain one before we distribute any funding (see template). Your publication or distribution platform of choice must be able to accept grant-funding for stories. When evaluating applications, they look for:
Potential for Impact: They care about stories that make a difference. They want the reporting They enable to help society navigate the challenges ushered in by increasingly capable and widespread AI systems, whether that be by raising awareness of an underdiscussed harm or catalyzing policy change.
Reach: They hope grantees’ stories will be read, heard, or viewed widely, and by people with decision-making power. They prefer to fund stories that are likely to be published in established and influential outlets.
Journalistic experience: They look to fund journalists with a track record of impressive reporting. They tend to only fund journalists who have written at least one piece like the original journalism they’re proposing, whether that’s an ambitious investigation or a captivating explainer.
Feasibility: They look for pitches and budgets that demonstrate a realistic plan for how to pull off the proposed story.
Location:
OnlineBenefits
- Grant size: Typically $15,000–$20,000, depending on project scope.
- Coverage: Funds can be used for living expenses, reporting costs, travel, and research needs while you work on your project.
- Additional support: Beyond money, you also receive editorial mentorship and publication opportunities, which are part of the package.
- Flexibility: Unlike scholarships (which cover tuition or institutional fees), Tarbell grants are project-specific and independent, so you decide how to allocate the funding.
Eligibilities
- They welcome submission from all experienced journalists and media creators: both staff writers/editors/producers and freelancers are welcome to apply.
- Journalists with an investigative background are particularly encouraged to apply. A background in reporting on AI and/or technology is desirable, but not mandatory.
Application Process
For the application, go through the apply link.
Application Deadline: March 9, 2026 (30 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
