← The Grant Desk (interactive)

Research and Journalism Grants in the US

Currently 14 active research and journalism grants, fellowships and residencies open to applicants in the US. Hand-curated and updated weekly. Almost every entry is funded; a few notable unpaid open calls and festival submissions are included as clearly flagged exceptions. Browse the list below, or use the interactive desk for filtering and shortlisting.

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Open calls

  1. Lux Capital Fellowship 2026

    Lux Capital · United States (in-person retreats; remote project work) · Deadline: 13 Jun 2026 · Award: $15,000 non-dilutive grant (no strings attached, no need to incorporate a company), plus mentorship and all-expenses-paid retreats. No application fee.

    Fellowship from venture-capital firm Lux Capital honouring exceptional undergraduates at the intersection of science and technology, pushing the boundaries of the physical, computational and life sciences. No prior experience required; flexible by design to run alongside other academic and professional commitments. FOCUS AREAS: Physical Sciences (next-gen materials, defense, chips, energy, space); Life Sciences (healthcare, computational biology, new therapeutics); and Computational Sciences (AI, cryptography, open source, infrastructure, dev tools). WHO THEY SEEK: scrappy, high-velocity builders who ship fast; deeply technical engineering and scientific pioneers (startup designation does not matter); and seekers with something to prove. BENEFITS: a $15,000 non-dilutive grant to offset project costs (no strings attached, no need to formally incorporate); a personalized mentor from the Lux portfolio and investment team; all-expenses-paid retreats at the start and end of the summer; and sessions ranging from fireside chats with portfolio founders to themed discussions. ELIGIBILITY: undergraduates (team applications accepted). TIMELINE: applications due June 13, 2026; results late June; fellowship kick-off late July; close late August/early September. Contact: flux@luxcapital.com.

  2. TechCongress: January 2027 Fellowship (Senior Fellows + Congressional Innovation Fellows)

    TechCongress · Washington, D.C., United States (Congressional offices) · Deadline: 25 Jun 2026 · Award: Senior Fellows: $100,600 per year. Congressional Innovation Fellows (early-career): $78,000 annual-equivalent stipend ($6,500/month). Plus health-insurance supplements up to $425/month, relocation assistance up to $2,000, initial-housing reimbursement up to $2,000, travel funds up to $2,000, and a $500 professional-attire allowance. No application fee.

    TechCongress is accepting applications for its January 2027 Fellowship cohort, placing up to 20 fellows in Congressional offices and committees on both sides of the aisle. Fellows work directly with Members of Congress and Congressional Committees on AI policy, cybersecurity, data privacy, climate, government innovation, science/research and more; no prior government experience required. TWO TRACKS: (1) Senior Fellows (mid-career, 8+ years) for January-December 2027, paid $100,600/year; (2) Congressional Innovation Fellows (early-career, 2-6 years) for January-October 2027, paid a $78,000 annual-equivalent stipend ($6,500/month). Benefits include health-insurance supplements (up to $425/month), relocation (up to $2,000), initial housing (up to $2,000), travel (up to $2,000), and a $500 professional-attire allowance. This year the call explicitly seeks people with backgrounds in climate, government innovation, and science/research alongside the traditional AI/tech/cyber profile; applicants with seven years of experience qualify for an intermediate tier. ELIGIBILITY: this is a full-time, in-person fellowship and fellows must relocate to Washington, D.C.; applicants must be U.S. citizens (DACA recipients, or those eligible for DACA, are also eligible). Application deadline 25 June 2026, 11:59pm ET.

  3. SSRC Just Tech Fellowship 2027

    Social Science Research Council (SSRC) · United States (must reside in US during the fellowship year) · Deadline: 28 Jun 2026 · Award: Up to $60,000 unrestricted, plus optional seed funding for collaborative projects within or across Just Tech cohorts

    Flagship SSRC public-interest tech fellowship supporting researchers, artists, journalists, community-based researchers, social scientists, humanists, technologists and practitioners whose work expands public understanding of technology and contributes to more informed and accountable technological futures. One-year unrestricted award of up to $60,000 (January through December 2027) for research, creative practice or community-engaged work at the intersection of technology and society. Programme includes monthly virtual gatherings, individualised mentoring, one in-person workshop, plus ongoing access to the Just Tech network beyond the award year. Citizens of any country may apply but fellows must reside in the United States for the fellowship duration; SSRC does not sponsor visas. No formal degree requirement. Full-time students are not eligible. Application materials: 2-page CV; personal statement (1,000 words or 5-minute video); work proposal (3,000 words or 10-slide deck) addressing concept, technology engagement, approach/contribution, feasibility, field context and public contribution; 2 work samples. Application portal open 27 April to 28 June 2026 23:59 EST (single window for the 2027 cohort); selected fellows notified November 2026. Strong fit for critical data, algorithmic justice, platform governance and digital rights work.

  4. Tech, Media & AI Policy Fellow (CMDG, Open Markets Institute)

    Center for Media & Digital Governance, Open Markets Institute · Washington, D.C., USA · Deadline: 30 Jun 2026 · Award: USD 20 to 25 per hour. Candidates who bring external funding or support that offsets compensation are encouraged to note it; total compensation may be structured accordingly.

    A fellowship at the Center for Media & Digital Governance (CMDG) at the Open Markets Institute, a Washington-based think tank, for early-career professionals interested in how AI is reshaping the information ecosystem, how platform and media consolidation affect press freedom and democratic accountability, and what regulatory and legal tools can address concentrated power over the news. The fellow contributes to research, publications, regulatory comments, op-eds and testimony; supports communications across the Center's Substack, social media and partner outreach; and shares administrative work (scheduling, convening logistics, organizational systems). QUALIFICATIONS: strong research and writing skills; a bachelor's degree or higher in journalism, law, policy, communications or a related field (law, policy, or graduate background and prior publication or journalism experience preferred); comfort with social media and AI tools; experience with data analysis, regulatory agencies, and/or policy tracking; international or non-U.S. regulatory exposure a plus. TO APPLY: send a resume, one-page cover letter, and one writing sample to jobs@openmarketsinstitute.org with the subject line 'CMDG Fellowship Application'; links to relevant social media or published work welcome; no phone calls. NOTE: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so there is no firm deadline; the date shown is an approximate cutoff and applying earlier is advised.

  5. Centre for Curatorial Leadership: Fellowship 2027 for Art Museum Curators

    Centre for Curatorial Leadership (CCL) (with Columbia Business School faculty) · Two weeks in New York City, USA (11-22 January 2027); a five-day residency at a host museum; concluding week in May or June 2027 · Deadline: 30 Jun 2026 · Award: Tuition free. CCL covers the majority of travel, hotel and food costs for the programme: for the two weeks in NYC and the final week, the majority of meals and Mon-Fri transportation are organised by CCL (Fellows cover a small number of taxi/incidental costs); for the five-day individual residency, CCL arranges and pays for hotel and travel, and Fellows receive a daily stipend for meals, transportation and incidentals. No application fee.

    The Centre for Curatorial Leadership (CCL) offers leadership training for art museum curators across all art-historical specialties. The core Fellowship provides experienced curators with instruction from Columbia Business School faculty and exposure to real-world challenges faced by cultural institutions today. Mentoring is a key element: directors and trustees from major museums across the world host Fellows for a weeklong residency. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE: (1) a two-week intensive in New York City (11-22 January 2027) with Columbia Business School faculty teaching plus practical exposure and assignments; (2) a five-day individual residency in February-April with a museum director from an institution other than the Fellow's home institution; (3) a concluding week in May or June crafted to the particular needs of the class. ELIGIBILITY: full-time senior and/or established curators working in art museums in North America and abroad; up to 12 applicants accepted each year. DEADLINE: 30 June 2026.

  6. Civic Science Postdoctoral Fellow: Science Policy Collaborative (George Mason University) 2026

    George Mason University (with UC Riverside), via the Science Policy Collaborative and Civic Science Fellows network · Fairfax, Virginia, USA (hybrid eligible). · Deadline: 05 Jul 2026 · Award: Salary approximately USD 80,000 per year plus benefits. No application fee.

    A grant-funded, full-time Civic Science Postdoctoral Fellowship supporting the Science Policy Collaborative, a national network that strengthens the development, sustainability and evaluation of U.S. science policy programs. The fellow helps shape an emerging field at the heart of a growing community of practice connecting science policy programs across the country. WHAT YOU'LL DO: conduct a national needs assessment of U.S. science policy programs and publish the findings; support the Collaborative's working groups by scoping deliverables and building partnerships to execute them; develop infrastructure for knowledge exchange (tools like logic models and evaluation frameworks); connect programs with national and international experts on the use of research evidence (URE) and evidence-informed policymaking; present at partner meetings and convenings; and receive mentorship from George Mason University, UC Riverside and other leaders of the Collaborative. WHO THEY'RE LOOKING FOR: someone with a doctoral degree, relevant experience, knowledge of science-for-policy programs, and skills in network coordination, needs assessment or program evaluation, and writing for broad audiences (see the posting for exact criteria). Fairfax, VA (hybrid eligible); full-time 18-month postdoctoral appointment issued as two contracts (12 months plus 6 months); salary about USD 80,000/year plus benefits. APPLY with a cover letter, CV, three references and a writing sample written for broad audiences; for full consideration apply by 5 July 2026 (open until filled). Questions to search coordinator Natalie V Lapidot-Croitoru, nlapidot@gmu.edu.

  7. Future of Work Reporting Fellowship 2026 to 2027

    Work Shift, in partnership with New America's Future of Work and Innovation Economy initiative · United States (US-based journalists) · Deadline: 24 Jul 2026 · Award: $5,000 stipend + editorial coaching + access to expert sources + story amplification

    One-year reporting fellowship supporting early- and mid-career US-based journalists to produce in-depth, place-based reporting on how education, workforce development and emerging technologies are reshaping economic opportunities across the United States. Open to print, digital, radio, television, multimedia and freelance journalists. Fellows receive a $5,000 stipend, editorial coaching, expert-source access and amplification of their stories.

  8. Rowland Fellowship at Harvard (incoming 2027 cohort)

    The Rowland Institute at Harvard University · Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (Harvard main campus) · Deadline: 01 Aug 2026 · Award: Salary from $89,999 per year with full Harvard benefits; yearly operating budget from $225,000 for lab supplies, travel and hiring personnel (postdoctoral fellows, postbacs, undergraduates); generous start-up funding for capital equipment based on the research programme; dedicated laboratory space plus ancillary spaces (e.g. tissue culture); full principal investigator rights; staff scientist and engineer support for designing and fabricating experimental setups; shared research equipment across Harvard (Center for Nanoscale Systems, Bauer Life Science Core Facility); mentoring on lab culture, scientific writing, budgeting and leadership; and access to Harvard's Core for Mentorship Excellence. No application fee.

    Rowland Fellowship at Harvard for outstanding early-career experimentalists in any field of science or engineering, providing the opportunity to establish an independent research programme at the Rowland Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded by Edwin Land in 1980 to foster high-risk creative research and joined to Harvard in 2002, the Institute particularly supports scholars with potential to establish ground-breaking research programmes that bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries. ELIGIBILITY: applicants should currently be completing their PhDs or have received their PhD after 1 May 2025; the doctoral degree must be completed prior to starting the Fellowship. Fellows may have the opportunity to teach undergraduates during their Fellowship. Apply via the Harvard Careers posting linked from the Rowland Institute fellowships page. Applications are currently open; the call does not state a fixed closing date, so check the Harvard Careers posting for the current deadline.

  9. Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) Grants

    Fund for Investigative Journalism · USA-primary (foreign-based stories require strong U.S. angle) · Deadline: 14 Sep 2026 · Award: Up to $10,000 (regular) or $1,000 to $2,500 (seed)

    Grants for in-depth investigative reporting that exposes corruption, malfeasance or misuse of power across public and private sectors. Covers print, online, broadcast, books, documentaries and podcasts. Surveillance, abuse-of-power and accountability investigations all fit. Letter of Commitment from a news outlet required for full proposals (not for seed). Seed deadline ~10 May 2026; regular deadline 14 September 2026, 23:59 ET. Reviewed three to four times per year. Stories must be published in English with a U.S. media outlet. Ethnic media and journalists of colour particularly encouraged.

  10. NEH: Public Humanities Projects (2026-27 deadlines)

    National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) · United States (applicants must be eligible US non-profits - museums, libraries, historical organisations, or accredited US colleges and universities) · Deadline: 15 Oct 2026 · Award: Planning grants up to USD 75,000; Implementation grants up to USD 1,000,000 (most awards substantially smaller). Two upcoming deadlines: 15 October 2026 and 9 December 2026.

    NEH project grants supporting interpretive exhibitions, historic-place programming and discussion programmes that bring humanities scholarship to public audiences. Aimed at strengthening the humanities in public life through scholarship-informed public engagement (rather than primary research). Two upcoming application windows: 15 October 2026 and 9 December 2026. Two scales: Planning grants up to USD 75,000, and Implementation grants up to USD 1,000,000 (most awards substantially smaller than the cap). ELIGIBILITY: US-incorporated non-profits with appropriate IRS status, libraries, museums, historical organisations, or accredited US colleges and universities; individual scholars participate as project directors on behalf of an eligible institution. Aimed at projects that engage broad public audiences with humanities content (history, culture, philosophy, literature, etc.).

  11. University of Chicago: Applied Data Fellowship 2026

    Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago · United States; Fellows embedded full-time in government, non-profit and social-enterprise host institutions · Deadline: Rolling / undated · Award: Living stipend of USD 47,000 for the year (scaled up for placements in cities with a higher cost of living than Chicago), plus a separate reimbursable health-insurance stipend of up to USD 5,000.

    A one-year fellowship placing Fellows directly inside government, non-profit and social-enterprise host institutions across the United States to design and implement high-impact programs, translating data-driven insights into actionable policy recommendations, new programs and operational changes for the partners they serve. STIPEND: USD 47,000 living stipend for the year (scaled up for higher-cost cities) plus a reimbursable health-insurance stipend up to USD 5,000. ELIGIBILITY: primarily intended for candidates graduating from their academic programs in 2026 and/or already working full-time; this is a full-time 12-month commitment. PROCESS: applications and interviews are considered on a ROLLING basis starting in March, so applicants are encouraged to apply early; most engagements begin between June and November, with partner match meetings 6 to 8 weeks before the anticipated start. APPLY: https://www.adf.uchicago.edu/apply

  12. Pulitzer Center: U.S. Local News Reporting Grants (Bringing Stories Home)

    Pulitzer Center · United States (US-based stories) · Deadline: Rolling / undated · Award: Reporting grants covering project hard costs (typically no salaries or equipment). No application fee.

    Pulitzer Center's 'Bringing Stories Home' initiative supports in-depth local journalism on under-covered issues in communities across the United States. ELIGIBILITY: freelance and staff journalists working on US-based stories. Grants cover the hard costs of reporting. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis via the Pulitzer Center reporting-grants page.

  13. Foundation for Contemporary Arts: Emergency Grants

    Foundation for Contemporary Arts · United States and US territories · Deadline: Rolling / undated · Award: $500 to $3,000 (average ~$2,200)

    Year-round support for unanticipated opportunities or emergencies tied to a confirmed innovative artistic project. Open to individual visual and performing artists and poets living in the US or US territories with a US tax ID. Apply 8 to 10 weeks before your public presentation date. Designed to cover sudden costs (a venue change, a confirmed exhibition or performance opportunity with a tight runway, etc.).

  14. COOP Careers: Director of Data & Evaluation

    COOP Careers · Hybrid in NYC, Bay Area, Chicago, or LA, United States · Deadline: Rolling / undated · Award: Paid role: $100,000-$110,000 per year plus benefits. No application fee.

    COOP Careers, a non-profit that has helped more than 10,000 first-generation college graduates overcome underemployment, is hiring a Director of Data & Evaluation to lead the organisation's full evaluation function as it enters its next decade. The role spans survey design, Salesforce reporting, RCT oversight and strategic analysis in service of measurable workforce-development impact. WHAT THEY LOOK FOR: 8+ years in social-science research or evaluation; strong quantitative and qualitative methods; experience with Salesforce, Tableau/Power BI and survey platforms; ability to translate data for any audience; bonus points for SQL, statistical software (R, Stata, SPSS) and RCT experience. Hybrid in NYC, Bay Area, Chicago, or LA. Salary $100,000-$110,000 plus benefits. NOTE: this is a job, not a grant or fellowship; the posting closes when filled (no fixed deadline). Apply via the link.