**Google News Initiative invests in local journalism through the Local Experimental Journalism Accelerator**
_Google News Initiative is investing in the future of local journalism through the Local Experimental Journalism Accelerator, a new program that will provide funding and support to news organizations experimenting with new ways to engage with their communities and grow their businesses._
The program, which is part of Google’s ongoing commitment to supporting journalism, will provide funding and mentorship to 10 news organizations over the next year. The organizations will receive up to $300,000 in funding, as well as access to Google’s technology, expertise, and network of partners.
The Local Experimental Journalism Accelerator is open to news organizations of all sizes and types, including newspapers, websites, and nonprofits. The program is particularly interested in organizations that are experimenting with new ways to reach underserved communities, or that are using new technologies to improve their reporting.
“Local journalism is essential for a healthy democracy,” said Lisa Gibbs, Google News Lab lead. “This program will help news organizations experiment with new ways to engage with their communities and grow their businesses, so they can continue to provide the vital information that our communities need.”
The Local Experimental Journalism Accelerator is part of Google’s broader efforts to support journalism. In recent years, Google has invested millions of dollars in journalism training and innovation, and has launched a number of programs to help news organizations grow their businesses and reach new audiences.
**Applications for the Local Experimental Journalism Accelerator are now open. The deadline to apply is February 28, 2023.**
[Apply here](https://g.co/newsinitiative/accelerator)
**About Google News Initiative**
Google News Initiative is a global effort to support journalism and the news industry. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality information, and that journalism is essential for a healthy democracy. We work with news organizations of all sizes and types to help them grow their businesses, reach new audiences, and innovate with new technologies.
[Learn more about Google News Initiative](https://newsinitiative.withgoogle.com/)
**Contact:**
[Google News Lab Communications](mailto:[email protected]).
