Emerging journalists with at least one completed report or a verifiable reporting sample. You must accept structured verification gates.
Program code: EHGN-GRANT-ROOKIE-LEDGER-02 | Persona lane: Emerging Journalists | Annual allocation: $250,000 per year | Final awards: 10
The Rookie Ledger Field Fellowship is for emerging journalists who can report, but need structure: verification gates, editorial discipline, and a system for turning raw claims into publishable, defensible case files.
This program is designed to convert “I think something is wrong” into “Here is the timeline, here are the records, here is what we can prove.” We fund the reporting process only when there is a credible initial trail.
If you are early-career but disciplined, this lane is built for you: it is strict, but it is fair. You will not be judged on fame. You will be judged on proof.
| Milestone | Payment |
|---|---|
| Pitch accepted and scope locked | $5,000 |
| Records work and interview plan executed | $10,000 |
| Draft filed with evidence index | $7,000 |
| Legal review fixes closed | $3,000 |
Emerging journalists with at least one completed report or a verifiable reporting sample. You must accept structured verification gates.
Confidentiality during the funded window. Publication decisions follow evidence and legal readiness. We do not publish unfinished allegations.
Milestones tied to scope lock, records execution, evidence-indexed draft, and legal fixes.
Submit Secure Drop with claim summary, what evidence you control, and what you need to obtain. Attach proof samples if safe.
Most decisions in 21–45 days. High-risk work may require longer safety review.
Proof density per claim, willingness to correct, and capacity to execute under deadlines.
Use anonymized descriptors. Provide one safe contact channel. Attach documents only if safe.