If you’re a freelance journalist with an idea for a public records-based investigative project, consider applying to the Gumshoe Group’s public records payment scheme [1]. Successful applicants will sign a short-term contract to research and file a request and will be paid once they send us their filed request. We can pay between $1,000 to $1,500, depending on the complexity and public interest value of their request. We may also connect successful applicants with lawyers to support their requests.

The deadline for the first round of applications was June 1, 2021.

The deadline for the second round of applications is April 15, 2022 extended to May 11. In this round of the payment scheme, we'll aim to provide support to between 15-20 reporters.