The Indigenous Journalists Association (IJA) and Report for America (RFA) invite local newsrooms to apply for the 2026 host newsroom cohort. Selected partners will receive an RFA corps member to report on undercovered issues and communities and support to strengthen local news sustainability.
Application deadline: October 20, 2025
Program start: July 2026
Apply now ➝
Learn more at a virtual info session
Join RFA for an overview of the program, what makes a strong application, and how host newsroom support works.
Date: October 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET
Where: Zoom
Register for the webinar ➝
About Report for America
Report for America is a national service program placing talented journalists in local newsrooms to expand coverage of underreported topics and communities. Since 2017, RFA has:
- Supported nearly 40 news organizations in coverage serving Indigenous communities.
- Placed 700+ reporters in 400+ newsrooms across all 50 states.
- Helped 450+ newsrooms raise $60M+ in local donations to support corps member salaries and build capacity.
- Built one of the nation’s most diverse pipelines of journalists — nearly half journalists of color and about two-thirds women.
What host newsrooms receive
If selected, your newsroom will:
- Recruitment support: Access a strong pool of candidates sourced by RFA and matched to your stated beat priorities.
- Salary support: RFA pays 50 percent of the reporter’s salary in year one and 33 percent in year two.
- Sustainability guidance: Work with RFA’s Local News Sustainability Team to develop fundraising and community support that sustains coverage.
How to apply
Applications are open now for newsrooms interested in hosting an emerging or experienced journalist for up to three years starting July 2026.
Submit your application ➝
Questions?
- Read the full overview of how the host newsroom program works: Learn more ➝
- Register for one of Report For America’s upcoming virtual webinars here.
- Contact IJA’s Director of Membership Sheena Roetman-Wynn at sroetman@naja.com or RFA’s recruitment team at recruitment@reportforamerica.org.
