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Library

Topic: Technology
Resource Database / Guide

Tip Sheet: Follow the Money — How To Cover the Federal Appropriations Process

On April 30, 2026, CASW Connector hosted a Chat with Alessandra Zimmermann, AAAS project director for R&D policy, and Max Kozlov, award-winning science journalist at Nature.

The Chat was moderated by independent science journalist Virginia Gewin and facilitated by CASW program director Amber Dance.

Check out the tip sheet for advice and resources, as well as a recording of the Chat.

Resource Database / Guide

Amazon Mining Watch

"Amazon Mining Watch uses artificial intelligence to map the impact of gold mining activities in nine Amazonian countries. By analyzing historical and recent satellite imagery, this tool monitors the rapid expansion of mining and mining, both legal and illegal, in the world's largest rainforest. ... If you're a journalist reporting on environmental issues, Indigenous rights, supply chains, or economic drivers of deforestation, AMW offers many insights and story angles. The most recent data, covering the year of 2024, was recently update in the platform and now users can compare the affected areas by mining in the Amazon since 2018. "
Video

Media Briefing: Data Center Planning — Municipal, Utility and Community Considerations

Accelerating demand for new data centers means many communities are being asked for the first time where and how to permit their construction. SciLine’s briefing covered considerations being weighed by state and local governments, utilities, and communities as part of the data center planning process. Experts discussed the local resource-use implications of data center energy demands; the types of infrastructure projects and upgrades that often accompany new data center facilities; and how large-scale data center projects can affect broader local sustainability goals. The briefing featured short conversations with three experts, followed by a moderated Q&A, all on the record. Includes a transcript.
Article

National Forest Foundation: Call for Solutions Journalism Pitches

"The National Forest Foundation is looking for story pitches for its Winter/Spring 2026 issue of Light & Seed magazine, which will focus on how technology and innovation intersects with National Forests and Grasslands in the U.S. The solution should be on the cusp of real-world or large-scale application: it’s shown success, is actively working through its limitations, and could very soon have significant impact. In particular, we’re looking for stories about bioengineering, whether it’s a piece investigating the efficacy of a new kind of biochar that could remove forever chemicals from water or one assessing the current successes, challenges, and implications of blight-resistant American Chestnuts. 1,000 words for $1,000." Deadline: May 28, 2026.
Awards

DIG Awards

DIG Documentaries Investigations Journalism - ETS

"The DIG Awards acknowledge excellence in journalism and encourage the work of reporters who use video and audio to investigate current social, economic, technological, environmental and political issues." 2026 call for entry. Deadlines:
  • “Video” and “Audio & Podcast” categories: June 6, 2026 (non-monetary prizes; opportunity to be screened at the 2026 DIG Festival, September 23-27 in Modena
  • “DIG Pitch «Matteo Scanni»” category: June 15, 2026 (for documentaries in development; includes funding of up to €15,000)
Article

Techniques for Investigating Data Centers

"At the recent NICAR conference in the US, GIJN examined the burgeoning genre of exposés on data centers. We’ve compiled expert tips for reporting on the impacts of these resource-hungry data storage facilities that power AI — from water exploitation and greenwashing to power consumption and flouting environmental regulations."
Events

Outrider Science Media Forum

"Outrider’s Science Media Forum connects journalists with NASA’s latest technology to help them cover local science stories. This free, one-day event shows media professionals how to use NASA research and resources in their reporting on health and the environment. ... We offer travel grants to U.S. reporters to cover the cost of lodging and travel to Madison, Wisconsin."
  • When: May 14, 2026 (apply by April 15)
  • Where: The Pyle Center, Madison, Wisconsin
Resource Database / Guide

Distributed Energy Resources State Policy Explorer

"The Pew Charitable Trusts, in partnership with the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center, developed the Distributed Energy Resources State Policy Explorer to compile and share DER-related legislation enacted throughout the country from 2021 through 2025. ... The state policy explorer features an interactive U.S. map. It contains more than 400 entries, allowing users to filter results by state; policy area (e.g., building codes, community solar, and investment support); crosscutting topics (e.g., resilience); technology, including energy storage, photovoltaic solar, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure; and demand response." Also, find a short analysis of the Explorer tool data here, listing trends and takeaways.
Resource Database / Guide

NASA Earthdata Offers a New Look at What Satellites See Down Here

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

"The capacity to visualize Earth’s ecosystems in detail is an invaluable aid to reporting on the environment. That’s now being bolstered with an ongoing upgrade to NASA’s Earthdata program, fueled by its ranks of satellites. Reporter’s Toolbox says the refurbishment offers treasures for journalists ranging from oceans, groundwater and land surfaces to the biosphere and atmosphere."
Fellowships & Grants

IRE Fellowships & Scholarships

Investigative Reporters & Editors

"IRE offers numerous fellowships and scholarships each year, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors. Assistance typically includes a one-year IRE membership/renewal and the program registration fee." Options include but are not limited to:    
Video

Understanding ChatGPT Health: How Large Language Models Are Being Used To Triage Care

"Earlier this year, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health, a feature allowing users to incorporate data from their medical records and wellness apps to ask questions about their health and test results, and understand potential treatment options. In this webinar, panelists covered how it works, the potential benefits and cautions for this and other ChatGPT platforms, how patients and physicians are using large language models in health care now, and what journalists and consumers need to know."
Video

Turning Climate Data into Stories

"Climate data is more accessible than ever, but knowing how to find, interpret, and apply it in your reporting can make a difference in the strength of your stories. In this Climate Central webinar, we’ll explore how journalists and communicators can tap into trusted climate data tools to bring more depth, clarity, and context to stories that connect climate change to our communities. We’ll focus on two widely used resources: ACIS (Applied Climate Information System) and NOAA’s Climate at a Glance dashboard, walking through how to put them to work. You’ll learn how to query city-level observations, pull out key metrics like extreme heat days and heavy rain events, and connect local weather impacts to the broader state, national, and global climate trends."
Events

Covering Contaminated Sites Under Trump

Public Media Journalists Association

"Most of us have a contaminated site near us, but without reporters playing a watchdog role, these sites often languish for decades, potentially impacting people’s health. The stakes couldn’t be higher: Trump’s proposed cutting the budget to the very program responsible for cleaning those sites up. "In this webinar, journalist and creator of the award-winning 'Hazard NJ' and 'Hazard NYC' podcasts, Jordan Gass-Pooré provides tips on the ways journalists can report on contaminated sites in the age of Trump using open-source and OSINT tools."
  • When: March 31, 2026 @ 1-2 p.m. ET
Resource Database / Guide

Fire Sleuths Get Wildland Urban Interface Data Maps

Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)

"Communities surrounded by forest can be a beautiful place to live … or a wildfire trap. Environmental journalists can readily map and identify these so-called wildland urban interfaces through a federal government resource, writes the latest Reporter’s Toolbox. More on this data mapping tool and how to use it to track your area’s risk, explore historical trends and layer other data."
Video

Is There Ethical AI Use in Climate Journalism?

"In this one-hour discussion co-hosted with Trusting News, Covering Climate Now and a panel of experts discussed some of the ethical questions about using AI in journalism, specifically on the climate story. This session addressed a range of questions, including what factors to take into consideration before using AI, which tools could deepen our reporting, how to be transparent with audiences about our use of these tools, and how journalists should consider the climate toll of AI tools and report them to audiences."
Fellowships & Grants

The Data-Driven Reporting Project

Google News Initiative and Northwestern University | Medill

"Today much of investigative journalism is about acquiring, organizing and analyzing large, digital document sets. Technology plays a critical role in all phases but those resources are unevenly distributed. Only a few news organizations are able to take advantage of these advances. Many local news organizations and freelance journalists, especially those who serve local and underrepresented communities, would benefit from additional resources. This program aims to close this gap with targeted, financial awards to organizations and freelancers working on document-focused, investigative stories." Deadline: March 31, 2026. Recipients receive:
  • Grants of up to $35,000 for document-based investigative projects that serve local and/or underrepresented communities in the US and Canada.
  • Training and support from Medill on Google Journalist Studio tools, and more.
Video

AI’s Unquenchable Thirst for Water

"Beyond its staggering electricity demands, AI requires water — and a lot of it. A single data center can consume over 300,000 gallons a day — equivalent to the water used in a thousand homes — to cool the computers powering your chat prompts. As climate change worsens water scarcity through rising temperatures and disruptions to precipitation patterns, AI threatens to further drain water from the areas that need it most; over two-thirds of data centers built since 2022 are in water-stressed regions. As big tech continues its plan to build as many data centers as possible, Covering Climate Now hosted a one-hour discussion where we highlighted the reasons for AI’s ever-growing thirst, explored how to cover the local concerns of communities facing water shortages, and investigated potential solutions to safeguard this increasingly scarce resource."
Video

Media Briefing: Local Implications of Data Center Growth

"Data center development is rapidly accelerating across the United States. At SciLine’s briefing, jointly hosted with AAAS’ EPI Center, scientists briefed both reporters and public officials on national trends and local implications of data center growth. The briefing covered data center basics, why and at what rate their growth is accelerating, and how related increases in electricity demand, cooling needs, and backup generation are affecting local power grids, water resources, and air quality. This virtual briefing featured short conversations with three experts, followed by a moderated Q&A, all on the record."
Training program

Propel Initiative Regional Training Series at Cal Poly SLO

The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

"The Propel Initiative Regional Training Series at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo takes place April 24-25, 2026. Sessions will be led by accomplished reporters, editors and news leaders and will serve journalists of all backgrounds working within the state of California and in all platforms and print, digital and broadcast. The training is open to working and student journalists of all backgrounds living and working in California. This program is tuition-free and offers limited travel reimbursements for participants who may need financial assistance." The curriculum has a focus on storytelling, including:
  • Workshops on Beat Coverage: Business, Environment, Arts & Culture, Economy, Crime
  • Immigration Reporting
  • Harnessing AI Ethically in Reporting
  • Writing Techniques You Need Every Day
Deadline: April 13, 2026
Video

AI Data Centers & Their Climate and Community Impact

Covering Climate Now (CCNow)

"The tech industry’s insatiable interest in AI is driving a data center boom in the US that shows no sign of slowing down. The environmental footprint of these facilities is immense. Once touted by tech companies for their potential boon to stimulate local economies with short-lived construction jobs, these proposed facilities have seen nationwide pushback from across the political spectrum for driving up electricity prices and for their local environmental impacts. This discussion equipped journalists with the fundamental understanding of the economic and climate impacts stemming from AI’s vast power use, explored how to investigate data centers in their area, and highlighted unique story ideas to tackle this growing issue playing out in communities across the world."
Article

Covering Battery Storage

"The latest edition of our biweekly newsletter for local journalists explores battery storage, including the important role that battery energy storage systems play in the renewable energy transition, sample stories to inspire your work, and reporting tips from New York Times energy correspondent Ivan Penn."
Organization

Oxpeckers Center for Investigative Environmental Journalism

Oxpeckers, founded and headed by award-winning environmental journalist Fiona Macleod, is "Africa’s first journalistic investigation unit focusing on environmental issues. The Center combines traditional investigative reporting with data analysis and geo-mapping tools to expose eco-offences and track organised criminal syndicates."
Fellowships & Grants

Energy Journalism Fellows

Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs

"The Energy Journalism Fellows program offers journalists the opportunity to learn about the intersecting disciplines shaping the global energy sector, including finance and markets, climate change, science and technology, policy, and geopolitics."
  • When: June 9 - 12, 2026
  • Where: Columbia University, NYC
  • Includes: Costs of air or train travel and hotel lodging
  • Deadline: March 2
Events

Webinar With the Datajournalists From Oxpeckers

"During the session, Oxpeckers Investigative Environmental Journalism will be demonstrating how to incorporate data into environmental investigations. They will introduce the organisation and the way they work, and showcase some of their digital tools, including #PowerTracker (renewable energy), #WildEye (wildlife trafficking) and #MineAlert (mining licences) to show how data can uncover hidden environmental harms. An Oxpeckers journalist, Andiswa Matikinca, will also walk participants through her award-winning investigation into lithium smugglers as a real-world example of data in action."
  • When: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 @ 17:00 CET / 11 am EST / 8 am PST
Article

5 Actionable Ways To Find Health IT Stories in 2026

"Health information technology is an ever-evolving field with plenty of subtopics ripe for news coverage. If you are looking to incorporate health IT into your reporting, or you’re just getting started as a general reporter who periodically tackles health IT, here are some suggestions for finding story ideas. "