Future of Work Reporting Fellowship — Fellowship

The Future of Work Reporting Fellowship is jointly administered by New America’s Future of Work & Innovation Economy initiative and Work Shift. It supports U.S.-based working journalists producing place-based, in-depth reporting on how education, workforce development, economic development, industrial policy, and emerging technology investments affect communities.

Projects may be articles, series, audio, video, photo, or other long-form formats and must be published by August 2027. The fellowship runs remotely from September 2026 through August 2027, with virtual professional development and editorial support.

Benefits & funding

A $5,000 stipend is paid for completing the reporting project.
A $1,500 expense budget supports travel, research, and other reporting costs.
Fellows receive coaching, editing, peer learning, a virtual workshop, expert-source access, data guidance, and opportunities to amplify their work.

Eligibility

Applicants must be U.S.-based working journalists whose reporting covers education, workforce development, economic development, technology, industrial policy, or related social and public policy issues.
Early- and mid-career applicants should have approximately 1–15 years of professional reporting experience.
Eligible roles include print, online, radio, television, multimedia, podcast, newsletter, and freelance editorial work; solely managerial or administrative roles do not qualify.
National reporters may apply when their proposal examines a specific community or region; local and regional reporters embedded in their communities are preferred.
No degree, nationality, gender, or age requirement is published.

Can you apply?

Here's who can apply

Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.

Residence required
USA

Check my eligibility — free

Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.

We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

1
Create an account in the New America online application portal.
2
Complete the applicant information and submit a 500–750-word statement of interest and project proposal.
3
Provide one recommendation letter or a statement of qualifications, a résumé, and links to three work samples published within the past five years.
4
Name the intended outlet and explain its commitment to publish the project, or indicate whether Work Shift should be a primary or secondary publisher.
5
Submit every component by September 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.

Program timeline

Applications opened.
April 7, 2026
Application deadline.
September 4, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
Fellows announced.
Fall 2026
Fellowship begins.
September 2026
Fellowship ends and projects must be published.
August 2027