Deadline: September 14, 2025
The Tarbell Grants 2025 offer an exceptional opportunity for journalists around the world to secure funding for groundbreaking investigations into the future of artificial intelligence (AI) and its global consequences. With support ranging from $1,000 to $15,000, these grants are designed to empower original reporting that reaches established media outlets and drives meaningful conversations on AI’s role in shaping our societies.
About the Tarbell Grants 2025
The Tarbell Grants 2025 for Original Reporting on Artificial Intelligence & Its Impacts aim to support bold and insightful journalism that explores the implications of emerging AI technologies. This funding programme, managed by the Tarbell Fellowship, prioritises forward-looking, in-depth stories that can inform policymakers, industry leaders, and the public.
Applicants are encouraged to pitch projects that delve into critical questions around AI, especially in areas where the technology intersects with governance, ethics, and societal well-being.
Grant Amount
Successful applicants will receive between $1,000 and $15,000 depending on the scope and scale of their proposed reporting project. The funding is flexible and tailored to the resources required to deliver impactful, high-quality journalism.
Focus Areas of Reporting
The Tarbell Grants 2025 prioritise journalism that uncovers insights into:
- Investigations into frontier AI companies – exploring the operations, accountability, and influence of leading players in the AI space.
- AI policymaking – examining how governments and international bodies regulate, legislate, and guide the use of AI technologies.
- Integration of AI in government and military contexts – assessing risks, safeguards, and consequences of deploying AI in critical state functions.
- AI capabilities and evaluation – analysing methods for ensuring AI systems remain safe, transparent, and beneficial.
- The future of work and society – investigating how rapid AI advancements will reshape industries, labour markets, and social structures.
These themes reflect areas of urgent global concern and encourage stories that highlight not only technological progress but also its broader ethical and societal implications.
Eligibility Criteria
The programme is open globally to both freelance and staff journalists. While prior experience in technology or AI reporting is valuable, it is not a mandatory requirement. The key condition is that the proposed story must be published in an established media outlet.
This inclusivity ensures that both seasoned reporters and ambitious emerging voices can contribute to shaping critical conversations about artificial intelligence.
Application Deadline
Applications for the Tarbell Grants 2025 must be submitted by September 14, 2025, at the end of day Pacific Standard Time (PST). Late applications will not be considered, so applicants are advised to prepare early and ensure that proposals are complete before submission.
Why Apply for the Tarbell Grants 2025?
- Access to flexible funding to support ambitious reporting.
- Opportunity to publish stories with global impact on established media platforms.
- A chance to explore one of the most pressing issues of our time: the role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of humanity.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant Amount | $1,000 – $15,000 |
| Focus Areas | Frontier AI, policymaking, government/military integration, safeguards, future of work |
| Eligibility | Open worldwide to freelance and staff journalists |
| Deadline | September 14, 2025 (end of day PST) |
| Application Requirement | Story must be published in an established media outlet |
Final Note
The Tarbell Grants 2025 provide a unique platform for journalists to explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and produce reporting that can influence decisions and shape public understanding. If you are passionate about AI and its implications for society, this is an opportunity worth seizing.
For support with proposal drafting, refining, and review, contact grantsdatabase.org.
