The Lipman Center’s Initiative in Reporting on Race and Criminal Justice supports journalistic efforts to uncover and analyze racial inequities and human rights violations within the American criminal justice system. Aimed at empowering local newsrooms and independent journalists, this initiative provides both funding and collaboration to elevate comprehensive, yearlong reporting projects focused on law enforcement, judicial processes, prosecution practices, and incarceration issues that disproportionately impact communities of color.
Operated by the Lipman Center for Journalism and Civil and Human Rights at Columbia University, the initiative aligns with the center’s broader mission to foster investigative journalism that serves the public interest. At a time when systemic inequalities in the justice system are increasingly visible, the program seeks to amplify awareness of discriminatory policies and institutional practices. The ultimate goal is to encourage reforms through informed and impactful storytelling.
Each year, the initiative will award up to five grants, with individual awards ranging from $30,000 to $50,000. The funding supports costs such as data acquisition and analysis, visualization tools, hiring additional reporting support, filing FOIA requests, and covering travel expenses if public health conditions allow. Projects are expected to span a full year, culminating in public dissemination through local broadcast or publication.
Eligibility is open to all local newsrooms and independent journalists based in the United States. Applications should include a 1,000 to 1,500-word proposal submitted by the editor or lead reporter, a detailed budget breakdown, staff list, and the projected publication or broadcast timeline. All applications must be submitted via email in Word or PDF format to the designated Lipman Center contact.
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle will open in January 2026. This recurring grant program is funded by Arnold Ventures and administered through the Lipman Center at Columbia University’s School of Journalism. Grant selections will be made based on the strength of the proposal, journalistic merit, potential public impact, and organizational capacity to execute the project within the required timeframe.
