The New York Times Local Investigations Fellowship

This program is a one-year investigative reporting fellowship to develop the next generation of great reporters to do this essential type of accountability journalism at the local level. We are looking for fellows who have a few years of professional experience covering a local beat and who are ready to tackle an ambitious investigative project but lack the time, resources and guidance to produce it.

Under the guidance of Dean Baquet, executive editor of the Local Investigations Fellowship, and a handpicked group of veteran editors, these fellows will receive the rare opportunity to learn the judgment, skills and techniques needed to excel at investigative journalism from the best in the business. The fellows will spend a year, paid by The Times, producing signature investigative work focused on their state or region that will be published by The Times. Our hope is that the fellows will do the best work of their careers in this program, and, after the fellowship, apply what they learned to create even more ambitious work in their local communities and newsrooms.

To be considered for a fellowship based in Mississippi or Louisiana, as part of our collaboration with Deep South Today, visit this application form. 

Our general application window is currently closed. Applications for the 2027-28 cohort will open July 1, 2026.

In rare circumstances, the fellowship team will consider extremely urgent proposals outside of the application window. To learn more and express your interest, click here.

The Local Investigations Fellowship team is hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 21st, at 5:00 p.m. ET to answer questions about the program. Anyone who wants to learn more about the one-year fellowship and its application process is welcome to attend. Sign up using this link.