Fellowships & Scholarships (Investigative Reporters & Editors)

About this program

Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) offers multiple annual fellowships and scholarships, funded by sponsors and donors, to support investigative journalism through one‑year IRE membership/registration fee coverage, travel or cash awards, training, mentorship and data services for attendance at IRE events and the Data Journalism Bootcamp. Programs include Bootcamp and conference fellowships (general, diversity, TV/radio, students/early‑career, educators), named awards such as the Chauncey Bailey yearlong fellowship and Eric B. Sager Scholarships, the Freelance Fellowship, the Koch Continuum Grant (includes a $10,000 cash award), R‑CAR for rural journalists, and early‑career funds like the David Dietz and Mike Levine awards. Eligible applicants include journalists, educators, students and independent journalists, with many awards targeting specific groups (e.g., journalists of color, LGBTQ+ and disabled journalists; TV/radio reporters; U.S.-based rural journalists; freelancers; or those with under five or ten years’ experience). Application windows and deadlines vary by award; check individual fellowship pages for current deadlines, sign up for IRE communications, or contact fellowships@ire.org for details.