Apply for the Tarbell Fellowship 2027–2028, a one-year programme combining AI journalism training and a nine-month newsroom placement, with salaries of $75,000–$120,000. Deadline: 22 November 2026.
Background & Fellowship Description
The Tarbell Center for AI Journalism is accepting applications for its 2027–2028 Tarbell Fellowship, a one-year programme for journalists and subject-matter experts interested in reporting on artificial intelligence and its effects on society.
The fellowship combines three months of AI journalism training with a nine-month newsroom placement. Participants complete a remote course, attend an intensive weeklong in-person summit and work as reporters within partner newsrooms from September 2027 to May 2028.
Previous host newsrooms have included CBS News, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, MIT Technology Review and TIME. Fellows develop their reporting skills, build professional networks and produce journalism covering AI and related issues.
Applications are open until 22 November 2026.
Fellowship Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Tarbell Center for AI Journalism |
| Fellowship | Tarbell Fellowship 2027–2028 |
| Duration | One year |
| AI journalism training | 7 June–6 August 2027 |
| In-person summit | 16–20 August 2027 (dates to be confirmed) |
| Newsroom placement | September 2027–May 2028 |
| Fellow salary | $75,000–$120,000 |
| Senior fellow salary | $115,000–$135,000 |
| Locations | Hong Kong, London and selected US cities |
| Application deadline | 22 November 2026 |
| Official application information | Tarbell Fellowship |
Fellowship Benefits and Activities
1. Nine-Month Newsroom Placement
Selected fellows work as reporters embedded within a partner newsroom covering artificial intelligence. They gain practical experience investigating AI developments, communicating complex topics and producing stories for public audiences.
Placements are intended to help fellows build a strong journalism portfolio and accelerate their careers. In some cases, the newsroom placement may be extended for an additional year.
2. Competitive Salary
Fellows receive salaries ranging from $75,000 to $120,000, depending on professional experience and the cost of living in the placement city.
Senior fellowships offer salaries of $115,000 to $135,000. These positions are intended for candidates with at least seven years of professional experience and a strong record of achievement in journalism or AI.
3. AI Journalism Training
Before joining a newsroom, participants complete a three-month remote training programme from 7 June to 6 August 2027.
The programme includes a customised curriculum, guest lectures and graded assignments covering AI and journalism fundamentals. It requires a full-time commitment.
4. In-Person Fellowship Summit
The training period culminates in a weeklong summit scheduled for 16–20 August 2027, with dates to be confirmed.
The summit includes workshops, guest speakers, networking events and opportunities to engage with professionals working across journalism and AI. Tarbell covers travel and accommodation costs for the summit.
5. Professional Development and Networking
Fellows have opportunities to learn from AI researchers, subject-matter experts and experienced journalists. The fellowship supports the development of investigative reporting skills, subject knowledge and professional connections.
Senior fellows also contribute approximately five additional hours per week during the training period to support mentorship and workshops.
Qualifications and Eligibility
The Tarbell Fellowship is open to people with experience or expertise in either journalism or artificial intelligence. Applicants do not necessarily need a university degree.
Suitable candidates may include journalists who want to deepen their understanding of AI or specialists in areas such as machine learning research and AI governance who want to move into journalism.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Strong writing skills and the ability to explain complex topics clearly.
- A genuine interest in artificial intelligence and its effects on society.
- An understanding of the role journalism plays in informing the public.
- Analytical thinking, curiosity and open-mindedness.
- Persistence, resilience and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
- A willingness to investigate unfamiliar subjects and engage with different perspectives.
Candidates do not need to meet every listed characteristic to apply, but they should explain how their experience and skills could contribute to AI journalism.
Location and Work Authorisation
The fellowship is primarily intended for applicants who already have the right to work in the countries where partner newsrooms are based, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
Tarbell may seek visa sponsorship in some cases, but sponsorship is uncommon and requires approval from the relevant partner newsroom. Applicants should carefully assess their work-authorisation eligibility before applying.
The fellowship is full-time and should not be undertaken alongside a graduate degree programme or other training opportunities.
Additional Information
Applications for the 2027–2028 fellowship opened on 28 September 2026 and close on 22 November 2026.
Application Timeline
| Stage | Expected timeline |
|---|---|
| Applications | 28 September–22 November 2026 |
| Work test | December 2026–January 2027 |
| Interview with Tarbell | January–February 2027 |
| Interviews with partner newsrooms | February–March 2027 |
| Fellows selected | Late March 2027 |
| AI journalism training | 7 June–6 August 2027 |
| Fellowship summit | 16–20 August 2027, dates to be confirmed |
| Newsroom placement | September 2027–May 2028 |
How to Apply
Visit the official Tarbell Fellowship website and complete the application form.
Applicants should prepare a CV, responses to short application questions and one to three writing samples. Those who advance to the next stage will complete a three-to-five-hour work test designed to assess their potential to report on AI.
The interview stage includes a one-hour interview with a Tarbell team member and between one and three interviews with potential placement organisations.
Applicants should submit their materials before the deadline and review the official fellowship page for complete instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Tarbell Fellowship 2027–2028?
It is a one-year programme combining three months of AI journalism training with a nine-month placement as a reporter in a partner newsroom.
2. How much do Tarbell fellows earn?
Fellows earn between $75,000 and $120,000, depending on experience and placement location. Eligible senior fellows may earn between $115,000 and $135,000.
3. Who can apply for the fellowship?
Journalists and subject-matter experts with experience in journalism or AI can apply. Relevant expertise, strong writing skills and a genuine interest in AI reporting are important.
4. Is a university degree required?
No. Tarbell states that applicants do not need a university degree to apply.
5. Where are the placements located?
Partner newsrooms are based in Hong Kong, London and several US cities, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C. Locations may change.
6. Does the fellowship cover travel costs?
Yes. Travel and accommodation for the weeklong in-person fellowship summit are fully covered.
7. Can applicants outside the United States and United Kingdom apply?
Applicants may apply, but the fellowship primarily targets people with the right to work in the countries where partner newsrooms operate. Visa sponsorship is uncommon and depends on approval from the partner newsroom.
8. What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 22 November 2026.
9. What documents are required?
Applicants must provide a CV, answer short questions and submit one to three writing samples.
10. How long is the newsroom placement?
The placement normally runs for nine months, from September 2027 through May 2028. An extension for an additional year may be possible in some cases.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
The Tarbell Fellowship 2027–2028 is a notable opportunity for journalists and AI specialists who want to develop expertise in reporting on artificial intelligence. Its paid newsroom placements, structured training and access to experienced journalists make it particularly relevant to candidates seeking to combine technical knowledge with investigative and explanatory journalism.
Applicants should pay close attention to the full-time commitment and work-authorisation requirements, particularly because visa sponsorship is uncommon.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares career and educational opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with the Tarbell Center for AI Journalism and does not recruit on its behalf. Applicants should confirm all eligibility criteria, compensation details and application instructions through the official fellowship website.
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