Special Call for Proposals for Environmental Reporting Focusing on Transparency and Governance

The Pulitzer Center is launching a special call for journalism grants focusing on transparency and governance topics in the environmental sector. Journalists, editors, and media organizations are invited to submit proposals by February 28, 2026.  

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For decades, extractive industries have been driven to meet the demand for consumer goods. In turn, this has led to a grave decline in the environment and the sustainability of ecosystems, while mechanisms designed to regulate these industries continue to be manipulated and weakened by political and business interests.

Countless governments and authorities failed to uphold accountable governance, and many in positions of power are often complicit in violating regulations and harboring corrupt administrations. The consequences are severe. A safe environment and ecosystem are at risk, climate-related crises are worsening, and injustices are becoming prevalent.

Journalism can play a crucial role in addressing these issues. Through journalists’ investigations and reports, the public will be better informed and demand greater accountability and healthier governance.

The Pulitzer Center aims to support projects that shed light on how the global environment and ecosystems are regulated, the impact of regulation on communities that depend on ecosystems, the interests that endanger these ecosystems, and key policies and actions that need enforcement.  

What we are looking for

The special call for grants seeks journalism proposals that focus on how governments manage natural resources; harmful industrial and corporate practices; potential conflict of interest and corruption; and the impact on biodiversity, Indigenous communities, human rights, and climate. We particularly welcome applications from the Global South and seek reporting from Africa, Latin America, and South and Southeast Asia. We are interested in stories that expose the financial institutions, investors, and companies that are financing unsustainable deforestation, mining, fishing, or other natural resource exploitation. We encourage projects that reveal how the lack of regulation and enforcement is facilitating criminal activity such as smuggling, illegal logging, greenwashing, poaching, and Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing (IUU).

We will prioritize clear investigative and data-driven methodologies that approach a topic systemically to expose wrongdoing, loopholes, corruption, and other abuses in the management of natural resources.

We encourage applicants to ask these questions: Why does the issue need to be reported? Why haven't these issues been addressed, and what is at stake? Equally important: What measures are needed? What are possible solutions? Who should be held accountable?

Such issues are often complex, extending beyond multiple sectors and geographical borders. Collaboration can be instrumental in producing groundbreaking reports and catalyzing impact. Thus, we highly encourage proposals with a collaborative approach and reporting plan among regional and international journalists and media outlets, including researchers and sectoral experts.

Projects should consider the voices of local and marginalized communities, as well as environmental justice. The projects should be driven by innovation, inspired by solution-oriented practices, and leveraging data and technology. We are looking for projects with strong distribution plans and commitment from credible local, regional, or international news outlets (print, online, broadcast, visual, radio, podcasts, or a combination). Journalists, staff and freelancers, and independent media organizations are invited to apply.  

Learn more about the Climate and Environment reporting we have supported.

Examples of outstanding Pulitzer Center-supported journalism projects focusing on transparency and governance:

• The Impact of Parliamentary Amendments on the Degradation of the Brazilian Rainforest
• Fast and Dubious: How Electric Cars Are Tiring the Mekong
• The Spectacular Failure of the World’s First Marine Geoengineering Company
• Burundi: Tea Plantations in Kibira Park Accelerate the Drying Up of Lakes and Rivers
• Investigating the Global Shark Trade
• The Hidden Cost of Ethiopia’s Blooming Flower Industry
• Ecocide of the Tin Islands: Corruption, Environmental Collapse, and Community
• Financial Market: A Black Box Over Green Areas
• How Mega-Polluters Take Advantage of Billions in 'Green' Loans

Criteria for proposals

Proposed projects should:

• Clearly show how the proposed topic is linked with transparency and governance issues.
• Be original and in-depth. 
• Demonstrate attention to editing, reporting, and safety standards (for example, showing throughout pre-reporting research, avoiding unnecessary travel, and implementing safety measures for journalists and communities).
• Have a strong and wide distribution with awareness of relevant target audiences. 
• Utilize innovative reporting techniques, such as data journalism and multimedia engagement.
• Involve collaboration. Proposals involving collaborations (such as between national and/or Indigenous journalists, or between domestic and international media partnerships) will be highly considered, although proposals by solo journalists or single media outlets are acceptable.

We encourage creative forms of content distribution and audience engagement beyond story publication. If you have ideas and strategies for engaging diverse audiences with your reporting project, please include them in our proposal submission form.

Read tips for writing a successful grant application.

Eligibility: Grants are open to journalists, writers, photographers, radio and podcast producers, and filmmakers. Staff journalists and freelancers of any nationality are eligible to apply. Newsrooms or teams may also apply—the team lead should be the main applicant.

Applications should be submitted via the form at this link. Your application should include:

• A description of the proposed project in no more than 250 words;
• A thorough reporting and publication plan with details of final outputs; 
• A letter or letters of interest or commitment from editors and news outlets (reports are expected to be published by October 2026 or earlier);
• A preliminary budget estimate, including a basic breakdown of costs (travel grants cover hard costs associated with the reporting. Please do not include stipends for the applicants. Local reporting partner/translator/driver fees are acceptable);
• Three samples of published work, either print or broadcast;
• Two professional references: These can be either contact information or letters of recommendation. The latter is encouraged when letters from interested producers or editors are available;
• A copy of your curriculum vitae

Budget: The range is between $5,000 and $15,000, depending on project specifics. Learn more about the types of expenses the Pulitzer Center provides. Budgets can include:

• Costs for field work, like travel, lodging, and meals;
• Compensation for local journalist partners or translator;
• Data analysis and visualization supports

A more detailed description of the project may be added as an attachment. Applications can be submitted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, or bahasa Indonesia.

Submission deadline: February 28, 2026

Successful applicants will be notified by March 20, 2026. For approved projects, half of the grant amount is generally paid after the contract is signed, and the remaining will be paid upon submission of the principal material for publication or broadcast.

Contact 
For questions, email [email protected].