Open call: Pulitzer Center Global Reporting Grants

The grants are designed as a flexible funding mechanism for investigative and explanatory reporting across all regions and subject areas, with no restrictions on topic or geography.

The programme is open to both staff and freelance journalists working across multiple formats, including audio, video, documentary filmmaking, print and photography.

Funding overview

• Grants typically cover reporting-related costs based on detailed budgets
• Most international reporting awards range between $5 000 and $10 000, although amounts may vary
• Funding is intended to support production costs rather than newsroom overheads or indirect expenses
• In exceptional cases, stipends may be considered for journalists’ time, particularly where newsroom support is limited

Application and timeline

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no fixed deadline
• Proposals are reviewed continuously throughout the year
• Successful applicants receive funding in two stages:

• 50% after completion of grant paperwork
• 50% upon submission of final published or broadcast material

Eligibility

The grants are open to:

• Reporters, photographers and multimedia journalists
• Radio and audio producers
• Television and video journalists
• Documentary filmmakers
• Applicants of all nationalities and backgrounds

The programme encourages applications from diverse journalistic communities globally.

Reporting focus and formats

The Global Reporting Grants support ambitious reporting projects across platforms, with an emphasis on:

• Underreported and complex global issues
• Multi-format storytelling (audio, video, photography, and text)
• Collaboration with news organisations to strengthen distribution and audience reach

Applicants are encouraged to include:

• Clear distribution plans and confirmed or potential publishing partners
• Multimedia or interactive elements to enhance storytelling
• Innovative audience engagement strategies beyond traditional publication

Past projects have included distribution through non-traditional channels such as community radio, public poster campaigns and creative formats like illustrated storytelling.

Conflict and high-risk reporting guidance

The Pulitzer Center has issued specific guidance for projects involving conflict or high-risk environments.

• Journalists reporting in war zones or hostile regions must have a confirmed assignment from a news organisation
• The outlet must accept responsibility for the journalist’s safety and welfare
• Applicants are expected to follow ACOS Alliance safety principles
• Hostile Environment and First Aid Training (HEFAT) is encouraged and may be included in budgets for consideration
• Applications are assessed based on safety preparedness, reporting experience, language skills and project planning

What the grants do not fund

The programme does not support:

• Books (unless linked to independently published journalism)
• Feature-length films (short documentaries may be supported)
• Staff salaries (with limited exceptions for fellowships)
• Equipment purchases (equipment rentals considered case by case)
• General organisational overheads such as rent or utilities
• Start-up seed funding
• Routine breaking news coverage
• Advocacy or marketing campaigns
• Data projects intended solely for academic research

Additional information

Further guidance on successful applications is available through the Pulitzer Center’s official resources.

Enquiries can be directed to: reacheditorial@pulitzercenter.org

View the original call here.