NICAR26
March 5-8, 2026
Join IRE & NICAR for our annual data journalism conference - March 5-8, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
NICAR is our annual conferenced focused on all things data journalism. Attendees can expect beginner friendly sessions about getting started with data, more advanced sessions about R, Python, and AI, as well as networking events, receptions and much more!
You must be a current IRE member through April 1, 2026, to attend the conference.
Expired members must renew their membership before registering for the conference. Not an IRE member? You can apply online.
Early bird registration for the conference ends Jan. 22, 2026!
Please email us with any questions or comments: conference@ire.org.
Conference hotel
JW Marriott Indianapolis
10 S. West St.
Indianapolis, Indiana
The IRE discounted rate is $229/night. The cut-off for the NICAR rate is Feb 9, 2026, or when the room block fills up, whichever comes first.
You can book your room here: https://book.passkey.com/go/CARConference2026
Hotel parking
- Daily: $59/day
- Valet: $80/day
Airline discounts
Delta Airlines
To book online, click here to use the discount, or call Delta, 1-800-328-1111, Mon–Fri, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET, and refer to Meeting Event Code NY488.
Southwest Airlines
To use the NICAR discount, book your travel using this link.
United Airlines
To book online, visit this link and use Offer Code ZRNT948853, or call United Meetings Reservation Desk, 800-426-1122, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Find a roommate and/or a rideshare
Fill out this form if you'd like to find a a roommate at the conference. Fill out this form if you're looking for a rideshare.
Fellowships & Scholarships
NICAR26 fellowships are available for the following communities:
- All journalists
- Journalists, students and educators of color
- Indigenous journalists, students and educators
- Educators who teach data journalism/investigative reporting
- Illinois journalism students and early-career journalists (five years post-college graduation)
For attending the conference in-person, the fellowship includes:
- One-year IRE membership/renewal ($25-75 value)
- Complimentary conference registration ($100-325 value)
- Four hotel nights
- Travel stipend (up to $500)
All recipients are required to meet IRE’s membership standards: Someone substantially engaged in news gathering, presentation or production; a student pursuing a degree or someone engaged full-time in research or teaching in the field of journalism.
IRE hopes to notify you about the status of your application within 10 business days after the deadline.
Questions? Contact fellowships@ire.org
Wed, March 4
3 - 6:30 pm: Pick up your badge or register on-site
Thu, March 5
7:30 am - 5 pm: Pick up your badge or register on-site
8 - 8:45 am: Welcome to NICAR26! First-timers welcome & networking
9 am - 7 pm: Check out all the great exhibitors & recruiters
9 am - 12:30 pm: Programming begins - hands-on data classes, panels, networking and more!
12:30 - 2:30 pm: Lunch on your own
2:30 - 5:45 pm: Programming cont'd - hands-on data classes, panels, networking and more!
6 - 7:15 pm: Welcome Reception
Fri, March 6
7:30 - 8:45 am: Mentorship program meet-n-greet breakfast (invitation only)
8 am - 5 pm: Pick up your badge or register on-site
9 am - 7 pm: Check out all the great exhibitors & recruiters
9 am - 12:30 pm: Programming begins - hands-on data classes, panels, networking and more!
12:30 - 2:30 pm: Lunch on your own
2:30 - 4:30 pm: Programming cont'd - hands-on data classes, panels, networking and more!
5 - 6:15 pm: Lightning Talks
6:15 - 6:30 pm: Phil Meyer Award Presentation
6:30 - 7:30 pm: Phil Meyer Awards Reception
Sat, March 7
8:30 am - 2 pm: Pick up your badge or register on-site
9 am - 3 pm: Check out all the great exhibitors & recruiters
9 am - 12:30 pm: Programming begins - hands-on data classes, panels and more!
12:30 - 2:30 pm: Lunch on your own
2:30 - 5:45 pm: Programming cont'd - hands-on data classes, panels and more!
Sun, March 8
9 am - 12:30 pm: Programming begins - hands-on data classes, panels and more!
IRE Principles (Code of Conduct)
Investigative Reporters & Editors is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of race, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability, age, appearance or religion.
IRE supports vigorous debate and welcomes disagreement, while maintaining a civil and respectful community. Discriminatory or harassing behavior is not permitted.
IRE may take any action it deems appropriate to deal with those who violate our principles, including exclusion from our events, forums, listservs and the organization itself.
The IRE Principles apply to all events and meetings that IRE holds, including entirely virtual ones. Members agree to follow these principles throughout all communications related to the conference and meetings.
This Code of Conduct covers all participants in IRE events and meetings and is in effect the entire time from the beginning until the end of our events and meetings.
If you feel threatened or in immediate jeopardy during an IRE event, call 911 or contact building security.
How to report a complaint
During in-person conferences, we will publicize a contact email that you can use to make a report. In addition, we will make staff and IRE board members easily identifiable, with badges that identify themselves as such, so you know whom to contact if you want to report an issue in person.
During any IRE event or meeting, concerns can be brought to the attention of IRE staff, board members or the meeting organizer in person or a concern can be reported in writing as explained below.
At any time during the year, including conferences and meetings, if you see or experience any violation of this Code — and if your complaint does not involve the IRE Executive Director or IRE Board President — you may click here to file a complaint using our secure online form. Your submission will be forwarded automatically to the Board President and Executive Director. You can expect to hear from the Executive Director, who has discretion to handle all Code of Conduct complaints.
If your complaint involves the Board President, do not fill out this form. Instead, please email your complaint directly to the Executive Director: executivedirector@ire.org.
If your complaint involves the Executive Director, do not fill out this form. Instead, please email your complaint directly to the Board President: president@ire.org.
If your complaint involves both the Board President and the Executive Director, do not fill out this form. Instead, please email your complaint directly to the Board Vice President: vicepresident@ire.org.
Registration Fees
Professional (general)*, Academic, Associate and Retiree
- Early bird: $325
- Regular: $425
- On-site: $525
Professional (early-career) members
- Early bird: $150
- Regular and on-site: $250
Professional (general) members who work as full-time freelancers or Professional (general) members who are currently unemployed
- Early bird: $150
- Regular and on-site: $250
Student
- Early bird: $100
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be sent via email to logistics@ire.org. All cancellations must be in writing. There is a $50 processing fee for all cancellations until February 17, 2026. After that date, requests for refunds will be considered case by case. Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Attending From Outside the U.S.
If you require a U.S. visa to attend NICAR 2026, you may request a confirmation of registration document only after you have registered and paid in full for the conference.
Please email your request to logistics@ire.org, include your complete name, passport number, mailing address and any other details your country of residence requires for your visa application. IRE is not able to contact or intervene with any embassy or consulate office abroad on your behalf. Please allow 48-72 business hours for letters to be processed and emailed to you.
If your visa application is not approved to attend NICAR 2026, please email logistics@ire.org prior to the start of the conference and your registration fee will be refunded in full. Membership fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Recording Notice
All IRE events are subject to being photographed, video/audio-recorded, screen captured and/or live-streamed. Attendees, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors may be captured via these formats. All conference sessions, materials and activities are subject to recording by IRE and may be reproduced in part or whole, and distributed or used in any way consistent with IRE’s mission.
Questions?
For questions about registration or general conference questions, please contact logistics@ire.org.