2026 Kapor Foundation Research Fellowship: Investigative Reporting & Tech Policy Research

[Joanna Marcotte]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to announce the launch of the Kapor Foundation's next application round of Research Fellows. This round of awards will fund investigative reporters and policy researchers. See an overview of the 2026 fellowship below.

2026 Kapor Foundation Research Fellowship: Investigative Reporting & Tech Policy Research

The Kapor Foundation will award up to 15 grants of $35,000 each to (a) journalists or news outlets producing long-form investigative reports and (b) researchers at research/policy institutes conducting research, analysis, or evaluation that informs policy related to the Kapor Foundation’s three priority areas, with an emphasis on responsible AI and tech ethics: 

1. CS/AI Education: Education pathways (i.e., K-12, postsecondary, and alternative pathways) alignment with the future of work/careers.
2. Innovation: The AI/tech investment and entrepreneurship ecosystem and aligning the ecosystem with responsible innovation principles.
   
3. Governance: Tech policy that protects marginalized communities from harm, promotes inclusive economic opportunity, and benefits society.
   

Eligible applicants:   

• Journalists (staff or freelance), including reporters and editors, in the United States with at least 5 years of in-depth reporting experience conducting investigative reporting (including data journalism and watchdog journalism) for print, digital, or broadcast publication
• Researchers staffed in research/policy institutes conducting and publishing CS/AI education and/or tech policy research, policy analysis, or policy evaluation
  

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We anticipate releasing the first set of awards by June 30, 2026. 

Request: Please review the fellowship overview on our website and share this opportunity with your appropriate colleagues and relevant networks via email or LinkedIn. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Thank you,

Sonia 

--

Sonia Koshy, Ph.D.

she/her

Chief Research Officer

so...@kaporcenter.org