Pulitzer Center 2023 Data Journalism Grants for Journalists

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, a non-profit organization that supports independent global journalism, is seeking applications for innovative data-driven journalism projects that spotlight underreported issues. This opportunity is open to all newsrooms and independent journalists in the United States and abroad.

They are eager for proposals that will employ cutting-edge data techniques, as well as embrace collaboration among newsrooms, whether that be across state lines or across national borders. They encourage proposals that push the envelope in data collection and analysis and make use of advanced data mining techniques, such as machine learning, natural language processing, as well as spatial data analysis, satellite imagery, drones and sensors.

They’re seeking compelling data-driven storytelling, based on original data collection and analysis and strong visuals, that has the potential to shape public discourse and hold the powerful accountable

Eligibility Criteria

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

Benefits of Pulitzer Center Data Journalism Grants

• They will consider projects of any scope and size, and they are open to supporting multiple projects each year.  Most awards for past data journalism project support have been between $10,000-20,000 but may be more or less depending on circumstances.

Documents Required for Application

• A description of the proposed project, including distribution/publication plan, no more than 250 words. They look more favorably on proposals that include a letter(s) of interest or support from publishers or editors.
• Methodology: Describe your approach to collecting and analyzing the data and include your approach for fact-checking or independently verifying the data that will be used in your reporting. (Fact-checking and data verification could be the role of the publishing partner, but please explain the process.)
• A preliminary budget estimate, including a basic breakdown of costs. Include travel costs, software, satellite/GIS, or hardware costs. Do not include stipends for journalists/team members who are in the employ of newsrooms or are being paid by a publisher. If you are a journalist collaborating with a data designer and/or data visual specialist, you may include consultant fees in your budget.
• Three examples (links) of published work by you (or someone your project team.) For example: data visualizations, infographics, and/or data-driven stories.
• Three professional references. These can be either contact information or letters of recommendation.
• A copy of your resume or curriculum vitae.

How to Apply

Go to Pulitzer Center on pulitzercenter.tfaforms.net to apply