Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
Applications are currently being accepted for the 2026 Tarbell Fellowship Program, an immersive one-year initiative designed specifically for journalists who want to deepen their expertise in reporting on artificial intelligence. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a nine-month placement at a prominent newsroom, coupled with a comprehensive 10-week course focused on AI and journalism fundamentals. In addition, participants will attend an intensive, weeklong summit held in the San Francisco Bay Area, bringing together industry experts, workshops, and networking sessions.
Recent host newsrooms for the 2025 cohort included renowned media organizations such as Bloomberg, The Guardian, MIT Technology Review, Time Magazine, NBC News, The Verge, and many other leading outlets, providing fellows with invaluable exposure to top-tier journalism environments.
Fellowship Stipends and Eligibility
The Tarbell Fellowship offers competitive financial support based on experience level:
- Early-career fellows receive stipends ranging from $60,000 to $80,000, depending on their location and placement.
- Senior Fellows, defined as applicants with five or more years of professional experience in journalism or AI, are eligible for increased stipends between $90,000 and $110,000. Senior Fellows also contribute additional time during the 10-week training by mentoring and assisting with workshops.
Program Requirements
- Full-time Commitment: Candidates must dedicate themselves fully to the fellowship, as it demands a full-time engagement. Given the competitive nature of journalism, the program expects fellows to focus entirely on developing their skills and fulfilling their roles.
- International Eligibility: The fellowship welcomes emerging journalistic talent from around the world. Some newsroom placements require legal work authorization in the U.K. or U.S., and in select cases, the program can assist fellows with obtaining the necessary visas.
- Newsroom Placement: Fellows are fully integrated as reporters within a newsroom for a nine-month period. Host organizations vary each year but have included top-tier outlets like Bloomberg, The Guardian, NBC News, Time Magazine, and The Verge.
- Challenge and Growth: The year-long experience is designed to build robust skills and create a strong portfolio, accelerating the fellow’s journalism career trajectory.
- Senior Fellowship Specifics: Experienced candidates (5+ years in journalism or AI) qualify for Senior Fellow roles, which include a stipend of $90,000 to $110,000. These fellows are expected to dedicate an additional approximate five hours weekly during the 10-week AI Journalism Fundamentals course to support mentorship and workshop activities.
Benefits of the Fellowship
- Newsroom Immersion: Fellows gain firsthand experience by being embedded in a major newsroom, reporting on artificial intelligence for nine months. Each placement offers unique opportunities depending on the media outlet.
- Financial Support: Competitive stipends ranging from $60,000 to $80,000 for early-career fellows and $90,000 to $110,000 for Senior Fellows ensure financial stability throughout the placement.
- AI Journalism Fundamentals Course: Before starting their placements, fellows complete a rigorous 10-week remote program focused on the fundamentals of AI and journalism. This full-time course features a custom curriculum, expert guest lectures, and graded assignments to thoroughly prepare participants.
- Fellowship Summit: Prior to beginning their newsroom placements, fellows attend a weeklong intensive summit in the San Francisco Bay Area. This event includes guest speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities, with all travel and accommodation expenses fully covered by the program.
Application Process
The application timeline and steps are as follows:
- Application Submission and Writing Samples (Nov. 12, 2025 – Jan. 7, 2026): Interested candidates must complete the application form, which includes uploading a CV, answering brief questions, and submitting one to three writing samples. This portion should take less than 60 minutes.
- Work Test (Late January – Early February 2026): Shortlisted applicants will be invited to complete a two- to four-hour task designed to assess their aptitude for AI-focused journalism in a newsroom context.
- Interviews (March 2026): Selected candidates will undergo a one-hour interview with a member of the Tarbell team, followed by one to three interviews with potential placement organizations.
For comprehensive details and additional information, prospective applicants should Visit the Official Webpage of the Tarbell Fellowship Program.
