Frequently Asked Questions
About
What is the Tarbell Fellowship?
The Tarbell Fellowship is a one-year program for journalists interested in covering artificial intelligence. Fellows secure a nine-month placement at a major newsroom, participate in a 10-week study group covering AI and journalism fundamentals, and attend a weeklong journalism summit in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Why is it called the Tarbell Fellowship?
The Tarbell Fellowship is named in honor of Ida Tarbell. Tarbell was a pioneering investigative journalist, best known for writing The History of the Standard Oil Company. This seminal piece detailed the rise of Standard Oil and exposed its use of unfair and illegal practices, leading to the breakup of its monopoly. Just as Standard Oil operated in complexity that few understood, today's AI industry operates in technical and policy complexity that can feel impenetrable. We need our generation's Ida Tarbells to help society understand and navigate the most transformative technology of our time.
I want to write about ___. Will the Tarbell Fellowship support that?
We only support fellows interested in covering artificial intelligence. Within this, we don't dictate which topics Tarbell Fellows cover or how they cover them. Instead, we provide the time and resources to think carefully about the best ways to cover this area.
Can I still do the fellowship if I’m already a professional journalist?
Yes! Candidates with more than five years of full-time work experience in either journalism or AI are eligible for positions as Senior Tarbell Fellows. These positions have a higher stipend and will require an additional time commitment of approximately five hours per week during the 10-week AI Journalism Fundamentals training period to assist with mentorship and workshops.
Will the Tarbell Fellowship help me secure a placement?
Yes, all fellows will secure a nine-month newsroom placement covering AI. During the last stage of the application process, Tarbell will set up interviews with one to three potential news outlets. We then take into account the preferences of candidates and placement organizations to make the best matches.
Will I get to know the other Tarbell Fellows?
Yes. In addition to the summit, you will interact with your cohort on a weekly basis during the training period. Fellows will attend interactive learning sessions, speaker events and may also work together on assignments. We intend to foster a culture of collaboration and a thriving community of AI journalists.
Who is funding the Tarbell Fellowship?
A full list of Tarbell's donors can be found here. Our donors do not have any involvement in selecting which fellows we fund, and do not review or influence the content, conclusions, or framing of any of the fellows’ stories. You can read more about our commitment to editorial independence here. If you’d like to support our journalists with a contribution of any amount, you can make a gift here or get in touch.
Logistics
How long is the fellowship?
The fellowship is a 12-month program. Fellows will be selected in April 2026, and participate in the AI Journalism Fundamentals course from June to August. Most placements will then run from September 2026 through May 2027.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes. Fellows receive stipends of $60,000 to $80,000, depending on location, for the duration of their placement. Stipends for Senior Fellows (with five or more years of experience in journalism or AI) are $90,000 to $110,000.
Is the fellowship full time?
Yes, the fellowship is a full-time commitment from June 2026 through May 2027.
Is the fellowship remote?
The fellowship is hybrid, with a combination of remote aspects and in-person components.
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The 10-week AI Journalism Fundamentals training period is conducted remotely and sessions will be held online.
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The Tarbell Summit will be held in person in the San Francisco Bay Area, from August 17 to 21, 2026. All fellows are expected to attend and we will fully cover travel and accommodation costs.
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Many placements require fellows to work from cities such as San Francisco, New York, Washington DC, London, and Hong Kong. However, we welcome applications from international candidates and in some cases we can support fellows in acquiring work visas.
What is the Tarbell Summit?
The summit is an intensive week of guest speakers and workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area, with opportunities to network with professional journalists covering AI. The 2025 Summit included talks from Kevin Roose (NYT) and Jack Clark (Anthropic), as well as staff-led workshops on investigative reporting, feature writing, and the business of AI.
Will costs be covered for the Summit?
Yes, all travel and accommodation costs will be fully covered.
When will my placement start?
Most fellows will begin their placements in September 2026. However, we are willing to accommodate earlier or later start dates in exceptional circumstances (e.g. for candidates completing a graduate degree).
Apply
When do applications open/close for the fellowship?
Applications for the 2026 cohort opened on November 12, 2025 and will close on January 7, 2026.
When will I hear back about my application?
All applicants should expect to hear back by the end of January, whether or not they have progressed to the second stage of the application process.
When will I know if I've been accepted?
Fellows will be selected in April, 2026.
Is there an age limit for the fellowship?
No.
I'm based in ______. Can I apply?
Yes. We're excited to support early-career journalists from around the globe. Note that some placements will require relocation to a journalism hub like New York or San Francisco, and in some cases we can support fellows in acquiring work visas.
Do I need to have a university degree to apply?
No. For information on what we look for, see “Who we look for”.
Writing Samples
How many writing samples should I submit?
You may submit between one and three writing samples.
What is the word count limit for writing samples?
The combined total word count of your writing samples may not exceed 4,500 words.
What happens if I submit a writing sample longer than 4,500 words?
If you submit a writing sample PDF with a combined total of more than 4,500 words, we will discard your application.
Can I submit an unpublished writing sample?
Yes. You can submit unpublished writing samples, provided they are journalistic pieces. In the past, many top candidates have produced writing samples for the purpose of their application, though this is not required.
Does my writing sample need to be about AI?
No. We encourage candidates to submit their strongest work regardless of the topic. That being said, we encourage candidates producing writing samples for the purpose of this application to consider writing about AI or a related topic.
Can I submit a script as my writing sample?
At least one of the writing samples you submit must be written in prose format, such as a news article, blog post, or essay. A script will not fulfill this requirement. However, provided you are submitting at least one prose piece, you may also submit a script as a second or third writing sample.
Senior Fellows
How do I apply to be a Senior Fellow?
All applicants are automatically considered for the Senior Fellowship when they apply.
What types of experience does an applicant need to have to be eligible for the Senior Fellowship?
Generally, the applicant must have at least five years of full-time experience relevant to AI or journalism. This means that a journalist looking to become a Senior Fellow must have five years of full-time professional experience as either a staff writer or full-time freelancer. Individuals with more than five years working in AI technical research, AI policy, or another job relevant to AI are also eligible for the Senior Fellowship.
I have more than five years of professional experience, but it is not in AI or journalism. Can I still be considered for the Senior Fellowship?
Professionals with experience in other fields not directly related to AI or journalism may sometimes be considered for the Senior Fellowship if that experience is directly relevant to their placement. For example, someone with more than five years of legal experience may be considered for a Senior Fellowship at a placement like Lawfare at Tarbell’s discretion.