New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship 2027–2028 in the USA | Fully Funded Journalism Fellowship

Applications are now open for the prestigious New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship 2027–2028, a unique opportunity for local journalists and freelance reporters to spend an entire year pursuing an ambitious investigative reporting project with mentorship from some of the most respected investigative journalists in the world.

The fellowship is designed to support journalists who have identified important local accountability stories but lack the time, resources, editorial support, or investigative capacity to fully pursue them. Selected fellows will work under the guidance of Dean Baquet, former Executive Editor of The New York Times, alongside a team of veteran investigative editors while producing impactful journalism that will be edited and published by The New York Times.

The programme provides participants with the rare opportunity to sharpen their investigative reporting skills, receive expert editorial guidance, and produce work that can create meaningful change in their communities.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the deadline is 21 August 2026.

 

About The New York Times

The New York Times is one of the world’s most respected news organizations. Its mission is to seek the truth and help people understand the world through independent, high-quality journalism. The organization maintains a globally recognized newsroom with journalists reporting from nearly 160 countries and remains committed to producing impactful journalism across print, digital, audio, and multimedia platforms.

The Local Investigations Fellowship was established to help talented reporters investigate significant local stories that deserve deeper reporting and greater accountability.

Selected fellows will remain based within their communities while conducting investigative reporting focused on their state, city, or region. Fellows will also make periodic visits to New York Times offices for training, mentorship, and editorial support.

The fellowship emphasizes accountability journalism that uncovers important truths, reveals hidden issues, and highlights matters affecting people’s lives, safety, livelihoods, and wellbeing.

Throughout the programme, fellows will receive direct mentorship from experienced investigative editors while learning advanced investigative techniques, editorial judgment, and reporting strategies.

 

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

•  A full year dedicated to investigative reporting.
•  Mentorship from Dean Baquet and veteran investigative editors.
• Editorial guidance from The New York Times newsroom.
• Professional training and investigative journalism support.
• Publication opportunities through The New York Times.
• Access to experienced investigative journalism professionals.
• Opportunities to strengthen reporting, sourcing, and storytelling skills.
• Exposure to one of the world’s leading journalism organizations.
•  Competitive annual compensation of $85,262.84.

Additional employment benefits may include medical, dental, vision, retirement benefits, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and professional development support.

 

Responsibilities of Fellows

Selected fellows will:

•  Spend one year producing high-impact investigative journalism.
•  Focus on accountability reporting within their state or region.
•  Develop and execute an original investigative project.
• Work closely with experienced editors.
•  Conduct in-depth research and source development.
•  Produce reporting that meets New York Times standards.
•  Demonstrate commitment to journalistic independence.
• Contribute meaningful stories that help communities understand important issues.

 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Required Qualifications

• Three to five years of professional reporting experience.
•  Experience covering a specific beat for a local newspaper or digital news outlet.
• Be an independent journalist or employed by a newsroom willing to grant a year-long sabbatical.
•  Authorization to work in the United States. The fellowship does not sponsor new work visas
• Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:

 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Significant experience covering local issues.
• A strong investigative story idea that requires additional resources and editorial support.
• Ability to bring fresh perspectives to investigative journalism.
• Commitment to accountability reporting and community-centered journalism.

 

What Makes a Strong Application?

The fellowship seeks applicants with compelling local investigative ideas that:

Address High-Stakes Issues

The story should impact people’s lives, health, safety, livelihoods, or quality of life.

Establish Accountability

Strong investigations focus on institutions, organizations, or individuals with significant power and influence.

Reveal New Information

The proposed investigation should uncover information that has not yet been fully exposed.

Demonstrate Need

The strongest applications clearly explain why the issue is important to a specific community and why it deserves investigation.

 

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• Resume

An updated professional résumé.

• Cover  Letter

The cover letter must include at least one investigative story idea or pitch. Applicants may submit multiple story ideas if desired.

Each story idea should address:

• The investigative focus.
• What new information the investigation may reveal.
• Who has been harmed and how.
• Who may be held accountable.
• Required records, data, and sources.
• Reporting barriers and needed support.
• Existing reporting on the topic.

Five Published Clips

Applicants must submit five published clips demonstrating excellence in journalism, impactful reporting, and community-centered storytelling. Full text versions should be included .

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

 

Why You Should Apply

The New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship is one of the most exciting opportunities available to local journalists in the United States. Few programmes offer the chance to spend an entire year pursuing a major investigative project with the mentorship of award-winning editors while having your work published by one of the world’s most influential news organizations.

For journalists who are passionate about accountability reporting and uncovering stories that matter, this fellowship provides unmatched resources, guidance, and professional development opportunities.

Apply Here

Apply through The New York Times careers portal before 21 August 2026.

Conclusion

The New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship 2027–2028 offers an extraordinary opportunity for local journalists and freelancers to pursue impactful investigative reporting with support from some of the best editors in the industry. Through a year of focused reporting, mentorship, and professional development, fellows will gain the skills, resources, and editorial guidance needed to produce journalism that can drive accountability and create meaningful change. If you have a powerful local story that deserves national attention, this fellowship could provide the platform and support needed to bring it to light.

Discover more fellowship opportunities like this HERE .