Project Word is pleased to announce another round of applications for its signature program, Freelance Investigative Reporters and Editors (FIRE).
FIRE, a collaboration between Project Word and Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), provides two basic services to unaffiliated reporters: 1) an Editorial Consultancy (formerly “Help Desk”) for an hour of reporting strategy and advice; and 2) the Virtual Newsroom, for access to a suite of newsroom reporting services.
FIRE again invites applications for both programs. This round, we will be increasing the capacity of the Virtual Newsroom by about 40%, to ten reporters. All ten will be eligible for the Newsroom’s full complement of reporting services—from research assistance to pro bono legal help; five of them will receive stipends of $2,500 to $5,000. The capacity of Editorial Consultancies will expand as well, to 25 reporters.
This new round of applications builds on the success of our 2016 pilot project. In January, we canvassed the 30 participants in the pilot project. Approximately 60% of them were able to complete an online questionnaire and follow-up interview with a Project Word researcher. As expected, both beginning and experienced journalists reported benefiting from FIRE. The upshot was highly positive, as indicated by some heartening testimonials.
The feedback has already informed FIRE’s operations and applications process, which we are always seeking to make more efficient and freelancer-friendly. We are grateful for the feedback.
To apply to FIRE, reporters are encouraged to visit the program's Guidelines page. Application deadline is March 23, 2017. (Those who previously applied to FIRE are invited to reapply.)
Please circulate this notice widely.
I look forward to hearing from you.
In solidarity,
Laird Townsend,
for FIRE
