Machine Learning Grants for Data Journalism

About this program

Pulitzer Center offers Machine Learning Grants to support data-driven journalism projects using advanced techniques (e.g., machine learning, NLP) often combined with geospatial analysis, satellite imagery, and traditional reporting; collaborative, interdisciplinary projects that commit to transparency (sharing methods, code, ethics considerations, and data limitations) are favored. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline; awards vary by project size (most past grants $10,000–$25,000) and projects of any scope will be considered. Eligible applicants include U.S. residents and journalists worldwide—freelance or staff—as well as newsroom teams (one submission per journalist/team, with a designated leader); projects must be journalistic in nature, not solely academic. Required materials include a 250-word project description (distribution plan/letters of support recommended), a methodology statement explaining data collection/analysis and plans to verify and share code/data, a preliminary budget (consultant fees allowed; stipends for employed journalists generally excluded), three published work examples, three references, and a CV.