Deadline: February 16, 2026
Applications are open for the Altavoz Lab Community Journalist Fellowship 2026. Altavoz Lab believes journalism can make a tangible impact on local accountability and speak directly to audiences, not just about them. Their focus is on serving communities that have been disenfranchised in the past. Local journalists who live and work in these communities have the experience to understand and serve them authentically.
By strengthening their work and amplifying their voices, they can rebuild trust and ensure that these vital stories are told. This seven-month long program launches in April 2026 and brings together a tight-knit cohort of reporters working at the heart of their communities.
Benefits
- Fellows will receive up to $8,000 to produce an in-depth reporting project or series, and host newsrooms will receive up to $3,000 in additional funds to deepen and expand their audience engagement beyond social media.
Eligibility
- Open to freelancers and staff reporters of all experience levels working in English or Spanish with community-based news outlets that serve historically disinvested audiences across the U.S.
- They are looking for journalists deeply rooted in their communities and ready to produce reporting that centers local voices and urgent realities often overlooked by mainstream media.
Application
Application requires:
- Budget (DOC / PDF sample) for reporting work and for audience engagement plan. (Whether you are a freelance or staff journalist, specify whether your outlet can cover any of the costs associated with your project and/or the engagement component of this fellowship).
- Contact of one professional reference
- Resume and headshot.
- Signed editor consent form (DOC / PDF sample) agreeing to support fellow and their project.
- Live in the community you’re reporting on.
For more information, visit Altavoz Lab Community Journalist Fellowship.