FAQ for Journalists

We look for journalists who will do great work, can overcome challenges, solve problems and be an asset to their community and newsroom.  Corps members are typically early career journalists with one to three years experience and have a strong commitment to public service.  In the application we look for:

• Concrete evidence that the applicant can do journalism
• Demonstrated passion for writing and reporting
• A minimum of one completed full-time, professional internship in a newsroom setting.
• For recent college graduates, preference will be given to those who held a leadership position at their college newspaper and who completed a minimum of one professional internship
• A minimum of five (5) professionally published clips that can show range and depth of work
• An in-depth writing sample 
• Two strong recommendations supporting the candidacy of the applicant

You will work for a local news organization that has competed for the right to host you.  We support public radio stations, newspapers, TV stations and digital formats.  Any high-quality local news organization that needs your reporting skills to cover an undercovered topic in their community is eligible to be a host newsroom.

Applications for the 2026-2027 Report for America corps member cohort will open January 19, 2026 and close February 16, 2026. The deadline to submit two references is February 23, 2026. You can find the application on our website.

If you’re a finalist, you’ll hear from us in mid March. You’ll interview with one or more newsrooms in March or early April, and you’ll learn at that time whether a newsroom has selected you as its Report for America corps member. (Those who aren’t finalists will be notified in late March or early April.)

Your program year begins July 2026.

You may provide up to five preferences on the corps member application, though we don’t guarantee you’ll get your top picks. Our selection team will review your preferences carefully to determine if there is a good match. You will never interview with a newsroom without expressing interest in that position.

 Report for America is a two-year program with a third year option. Positions begin in  July. The optional third year includes newsroom leadership training for corps members. 

You will be an employee of the local news organization. You will be edited and managed by them.

Report for America aspires to create a movement—an effort to re-establish journalism as a calling and a public service. We are unapologetically idealistic. This is about fighting for truth and strengthening our communities. Sometimes that help may come in the form of presenting uncomfortable truths and holding powerful institutions accountable. But that’s all in service of equipping residents with more information and power.

Yes, yes and yes. As you know, news organizations are hungry for multi-talented journalists. But we may also find that news organizations have specific needs, in which case we’ll match reporters with specialties with those newsrooms that most need them. As a baseline, everyone must write well and report well.

There is no age limit.  The median age for our program is 27 and we attract early career journalists, including college graduates who have the prerequisite skills.  We welcome experienced journalists to apply and even have a small cohort for mid-to-late career journalists with eight or more years of experience.

Report for America is focused on improving local reporting.

Report for America will pay moving expenses up to $750 to get you to your new job if your newsroom doesn’t pay a moving stipend. (If your newsroom offers a lesser moving allowance, we’ll pay the difference.)  

No. We have great respect for high-quality advocacy journalists of all stripes but this particular program is focused on nitty-gritty objective reporting. In fact, while you’re an RFA corps member, you won’t be allowed to endorse particular candidates or advocate sides of any issues that your news organization might be covering.

We prefer that you’re utterly focused on and obsessed with your reporting. But if your newsroom allows part-time work, your editor is fine with the idea and you’re a corps member in good standing, we won’t stand in the way. 

You don’t have to be, though you can be. Our experience has shown that locals can provide great insight about the community while out-of-towners often can bring fresh perspective. 

At the start of the program, you’ll spend time learning from expert journalists and other trainers about your beat, specific skills to know, and more. Ongoing training throughout the year will build on that. You’ll also have the opportunity to be paired with a mentor who will give you personal, ongoing guidance.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States full time at the time they apply. Applicants that need sponsorship at any point during the 2-year program will not be considered. Our host newsrooms and Report for America do not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Yes, most of these position require that you have your own car and a current U.S. license. Should you become a finalist and interview with a newsroom, definitely confirm this detail. 

You need to arrange your own housing. But your newsroom and our network of hundreds of other corps members are great resources to help you.

Yes. And if your newsroom is hybrid or remote, that means you can work remotely in the community where your beat is located.