Call for Applications -AI and Surveillance Technologies Reporting Grant
Organisation Name:
Pulitzer Center
Application Deadline:
Open
About Organisation
The Pulitzer Center is a renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting independent journalism worldwide. It funds in-depth investigative reporting projects that address critical global issues, promoting accountability, transparency, and social impact. With a strong focus on underreported topics, the Center collaborates with journalists, media outlets, and institutions to bring compelling stories to diverse audiences. Over the years, it has played a pivotal role in exposing injustices, systemic challenges, and human rights concerns.
The Center has significantly invested in reporting on artificial intelligence (AI) and surveillance technologies, exploring their influence on societies, governance, and human rights. Its AI Accountability Network fosters investigative journalism on AI-driven systems, particularly their procurement, deployment, and regulation. Through grants and fellowships, the Pulitzer Center enables journalists to examine AI’s role in sectors like law enforcement, healthcare, and labor. Funded by organizations like Open Society Foundations, Wellspring Philanthropic Fund, and Luminate, the initiative aims to highlight both the benefits and risks of AI applications. The Center also supports innovative distribution methods and collaborative reporting, particularly from the Global South, to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are included in AI-related narratives.
About the Grant
The AI and Surveillance Technologies Reporting Grant is designed to support investigative journalism that examines the real-world impact of AI on communities globally. This grant provides financial assistance to cover essential costs associated with in-depth reporting projects. Unlike the AI Accountability Fellowships, this grant specifically funds journalistic investigations into how governments and corporations use AI in critical areas such as policing, healthcare, social welfare, criminal justice, and employment.
Projects should explore key questions, including how AI systems function, the data they rely on, who benefits from them, and who faces potential harm. The Pulitzer Center encourages accountability reporting, data-driven journalism, and cross-disciplinary collaborations. The grant aims to shed light on issues such as AI governance, transparency, environmental impact, disinformation networks, and warfare. It particularly welcomes applications from the Global South, including Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. Journalists are expected to produce impactful, well-researched stories with strong distribution strategies. The Center also supports creative approaches to audience engagement beyond traditional media publication. This grant operates on a rolling basis, with applicants typically receiving a response within one to two weeks of submission.
Who can Apply?
This grant is open to journalists worldwide, including both staff and freelance reporters, who are investigating AI and surveillance technologies. The Pulitzer Center prioritizes applications from diverse backgrounds and encourages projects that reflect and represent the communities being reported on. While solo journalists can apply, collaborative projects involving multiple reporters, especially those spanning different regions or disciplines, are highly encouraged.
Applicants should propose investigative projects that provide deep insights into AI systems, their development, supply chains, procurement, regulation, and societal impact. The grant welcomes projects across various formats, including written reports, short documentaries, and multimedia storytelling. Proposals must include a well-defined distribution strategy, ensuring that stories reach a broad and relevant audience. Commitment letters from media outlets confirming publication are preferred.
The Center does not fund routine news coverage, advocacy campaigns, academic research without journalistic application, or general operational expenses for media organizations. Additionally, book projects, feature-length films, and staff salaries (outside of specific fellowships) are not covered. Equipment rentals may be considered on a case-by-case basis, but equipment purchases are generally excluded.
How to Apply?
Applicants must submit a project proposal (max 250 words), a preliminary budget breakdown, and a detailed distribution plan. Additional materials, such as an extended project description or reporting plan, can be attached. Proposals should emphasize investigative depth, accountability, and audience
Application Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Responses are typically provided within one to two weeks of submission.
Last Date to Apply
There is no fixed deadline; proposals are reviewed continuously.
Grant Amount
The grant covers reporting expenses but does not include salaries or equipment purchases. Funding is tailored to each project’s needs.
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
