🚨 The IRE26 early-bird deadline has been extended to May 15. 🚨

IRE26 early-bird extended!

It's not too late to join IRE & NICAR for our annual investigative journalism conference - in National Harbor, Maryland (just outside of D.C.!). The early-bird rate has just been extended to May 15, so hurry before it's too late!

The IRE Conference is about all things investigative, data, storytelling, public records, networking, finding old friends and new and so much more! All packed into three and a half days of take-home tips, hands-on training, and more new friends than you can count.

Applications are now open for the IRE 2026 mentor program

The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 31.

Learn more

In loving memory: Diana R. Fuentes

See photos, videos and notes from people celebrating Diana's life and work.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the 2025 IRE Awards!

We’re so proud to recognize these journalists, whose work represents the very best in investigative reporting. This annual contest is a reminder of the power of investigative journalism, which is essential to a free society.

Graphic with the text "IRE Meet the candidates!" and two illustrated checklist papers in the background with drawings of people's headshots and a marker to indicate someone is voting on them

Meet the 2026 IRE Board Candidates

In preparation for the 2026 IRE Board elections, get to know the candidates for the board and the contest committee.

Elected board members will guide IRE's mission, support journalists, and contribute to key decisions and initiatives.

Welcome to IRE!

Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. is a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of investigative reporting. IRE was formed to create a forum in which journalists throughout the world could help each other by sharing story ideas, newsgathering techniques and news sources.

IRE provides members access to thousands of reporting tipsheets and other materials through its Resource Center and hosts conferences and specialized training across the country. Programs of IRE include the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting (NICAR), a collaboration between IRE and the Missouri School of Journalism.

Training Opportunities

Learn the latest techniques of finding, understanding and reporting on stories with IRE. Explore training options across the globe and find an event that fits your schedule, whether it’s in person or online.

View Calendar

IRE News

U.S. Border Patrol wins Inaugural Golden Padlock Award

June 24, 2013 | Comments Off

The Golden Padlock Award. Photo: Travis Hartman. Investigative Reporters and Editors has named the U.S. Border Patrol as the winner of its first annual Golden Padlock Award recognizing a U.S. government agency or individual for unrelenting commitment to undermining the public’s right to know. The country’s largest law-enforcement agency was chosen among dozens of nominations…

Six members elected to IRE Board

June 22, 2013 | Comments Off

IRE members elected six new directors to the IRE board on Saturday evening at the organization’s annual conference in San Antonio. The newly elected members are: Leonard Downie Jr., the Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University; Matt Goldberg, NBC Bay Area; Ziva Branstetter, Tulsa World; T. Christian Miller, ProPublica; Josh Meyer, Medill National…

Tableau makes its desktop software free to IRE members

June 20, 2013 | Comments Off

** 2018 update: Please read this blog post on additional free Tableau benefits for current IRE members ** Today IRE is announcing a partnership with Tableau Software, maker of Tableau Public, to provide Tableau Desktop free to IRE Members. This should provide tremendous value for IRE members, who can use Tableau Desktop to develop stories…

There’s more pressure than ever to rise above the competition.

IRE can help you enhance your daily reporting with resources and member benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

Become a Member

The Center for Journalism & Democracy is accepting applications for a scholarship to the IRE conference!

Apply here.