The application window for the 2025 grant cycle is now closed.

We support journalists in covering under-told stories about ways to make cities and their metro regions work better for all their people.

An ideal project for us to support is one where a journalist aims to inform a critical local debate by reporting on how a promising approach in another city is working. A great example from our most recent grant cycle is this 2-part series in the Baltimore Banner. Please read the stories and consider how your proposal can similarly help cities learn from each other.

Our travel grants of up to $1,500 enable journalists to travel to cities within the U.S. to produce one or more stories for publication. The awards, selected through a competitive review process, cover travel expenses necessary for on-the-ground reporting.

We invite full-time freelancers as well as journalists currently employed by a news organization to apply.

Eligibility & Expectations

Reporters, writers, editors, and photographers working in print, online, radio, television, podcasts and multimedia are eligible for travel grant awards if they have had stories published or aired in the previous 3 years. We especially welcome applicants early in their journalism careers or from backgrounds underrepresented in today’s news media.

• Timing: The expectation is that travel will occur within three months of award receipt, and the story will be submitted to the pitched outlet within three months of travel ending.
• Geography: Travel must be within the U.S., and can be local or long distance, and by any means of reasonable transport (bus, rail, air, auto, etc.).
• Promotion: It is expected that stories produced with a grant will briefly mention the Peirce Foundation’s support for the project at the end. Grant recipients are expected to promote the story from their social media accounts and may be asked to participate in Foundation efforts to publicize the availability and impact of Journalism Travel Grants in the future.

Application Review Process

A Grant Review Committee of established journalists and urbanists carefully reviews all applications, and submits recommendations about which to fund to the foundation’s Board of Directors.