The Leonard C. Goodman Institute for Investigative Reporting

This year, journalists whose investigative proposals are accepted by the Institute will be awarded contracts in amounts up to $10,000, along with compensation for travel and other expenses incurred during reporting. The Institute recognizes the tremendous amount of time and labor that goes into investigative reporting, and we are committed to compensating writers fairly for their work.

Through the Institute, supported by a generous grant from Chicago attorney Leonard C. Goodman, In These Times will fund and subsequently publish investigative journalism that challenges — and changes — the status quo. Inspired by Progressive Era muckrakers such as Upton Sinclair, Ida B. Wells and Lincoln Steffens — who helped usher in reforms like women’s suffrage, an eight-hour workday and an end to child labor—In These Times has remained committed to its founding belief that, working together in a democracy, a crusading press and an informed public can create change.

Corporate capture of government
The forces undermining a climate transition
U.S. militarism and empire
Labor practices
Native issues
Systemic racism

To submit a proposal, send an email to investigations at inthesetimes dot com with the subject line ​“Goodman Institute Submission.” Please include all of the following in a single Word or Google document not to exceed 1,300 words:

A brief (200−300 word) summary of the issue, the new information you hope to uncover, and how you will do so

Briefly, any further context needed to understand your topic

Links to the most significant recent reporting and an explanation of how your findings will advance the public narrative surrounding your topic

Your proposed sources and reporting plan, including any travel

A brief summary of your journalistic experience, including 2 – 3 clips or links to previous work

Formatting requirements: Proposals should be in one Word or Google document, with section headings in bold and minimal special formatting. Please use 12-point Times New Roman font and single line spacing.

Acceptance benchmarks: The Institute aims to support and compensate reporters throughout the application and acceptance process. You will typically receive notification of whether your application is a semi-finalist within 2 – 3 weeks of the application deadline. Semi-finalists should expect to answer a round of follow-up questions and submit a detailed estimate of reporting expenses. The Institute offers a stipend of $200 for the additional work required.

Once an application is finalized, it will be reviewed by the Institute’s selection committee. 

If your story is selected for a grant, you will typically be awarded a story contract of up to $10,000, intended to cover the story fee in addition to living expenses for the duration of your project. The fee will be subdivided into installments tied to deliverables, beginning with a $2,000 signing fee. The Institute will work with you to hone the scope, timeline and expectations of findings for your research plan. Once you have completed your research, the Institute will work with you on a writing plan for an investigative article for publication in In These Times magazine and/​or on InThe​se​Times​.com. The Institute is open to considering cross-publication agreements.

Instead of a story contract, some proposals may receive an initial $2,000 research contract to develop reporting. Upon completion, they will be considered for a full story contract. Reporters whose projects are not awarded a full story contract retain the rights to any research completed, but are encouraged to keep in touch about future reporting developments that may warrant further consideration.