APPLY: American Journalism Project’s Local News Incubator

Individuals and small teams with local news product ideas are encouraged to apply for this 18-month cohort.

The American Journalism Project, with support from the Google News Initiative, is launching a local news incubator. The program is intended to support entrepreneurs who want to explore launching a new nonprofit local news organization to serve their communities. 

Individuals and small teams with ideas for new local news organizations can apply for this 18-month incubator, which will provide both startup capital and expert counsel. For this cohort, we will select up to four individuals or pairs. Founders will receive $400,000 to pursue their startup full time and spend 18 months researching, developing an editorial strategy to fill the local news and information needs they identify in a given market, fundraising, coalition-building and preparing to launch an organization. 

AJP will use its experience supporting grantees and launching nonprofit news startups to provide teams with a roadmap, coaching, and technical assistance to identify communities, understand information needs and the existing news ecosystem,  fundraise, set up organizational infrastructure (e.g. incorporation, insurance, board and governance, tax exemption status), and ultimately support the launch of a solution to meet community needs. 

The American Journalism Project and Google News Initiative are hosting an information session on January 12, 2023 to answer any questions about the program. Register here.

NOTE: Before you apply, AJP encourages you to take this eligibility quiz here to see if the incubator is a good fit for you.

The deadline to apply for the cohort is February 15, 2023. You can learn more and submit your application here. If you have any questions, please contact incubator@theajp.org.