The New England Center for Investigative Reporting (NECIR), an investigative journalism nonprofit founded at Boston University, is joining WGBH News.

NECIR has worked in close collaboration with WGBH News for more than four years, jointly producing long-form investigative pieces such as a series last year about the increasing suicide rate in Massachusetts prisons.

Founded in 2009 by investigative reporters Joe Bergantino and Maggie Mulvihill, NECIR has operated from WGBH's Brighton studios for five years.

According to a company statement, WGBH will grow the number of its investigative reporters over the next year. WGBH also gained ownership of NECIR's 10-year-old story archive as part of the agreement, which goes into effect July 9.

Jon Abbott, president and CEO of WGBH, said in a statement that "journalism is at the heart of our mission at WGBH, and is critical to the health of our democracy."

"From our flagship investigative journalism program FRONTLINE to the work of WGBH News, we strive to shine a spotlight on the stories that need to be told," Abbott continued. "NECIR has always shared this mission and we are excited to officially welcome them to the WGBH family."

"Our audience listens to WGBH News as a trusted source for stories that go deeper than the headlines. Formalizing the relationship with NECIR shows that we are committed to investing in investigative reporting and sharing it across all our platforms,” said Phil Redo, general manager for WGBH Radio and Local News, in a statement.

Boston University will still sponsor NECIR's summer journalism program for high school students and will work with WGBH to create a new training program for students.

The dean of BU's College of Communication, Tom Fiedler, in a statement called the partnership "a perfect scenario for NECIR, ensuring their work in investigative journalism will continue" and applauded the "greater number of learning opportunities for our students."

WGBH News Investigations Editor Paul Singer said in a statement that the "merger makes both NECIR and WGBH stronger."

"For NECIR, the organization finally has a permanent home and a long-term funding stream. And it gives us a more formal role in one of the fastest growing newsrooms in Boston," Singer said in the statement. "WGBH is demonstrating a commitment to investigative journalism and the move will expand opportunities for all WGBH reporters to participate in deeper dives."