Deadline: 07-Aug-2026
The Postcode Lottery Fund for Journalists, managed by Free Press Unlimited and supported by the National Postcode Lottery, funds foreign reporting projects for Dutch-speaking journalists. It provides up to €4,000 for travel and accommodation costs to support high-quality international journalism with broad audience relevance. Applications are reviewed quarterly and are strictly limited to professional journalists meeting recent publication and eligibility requirements.
Postcode Lottery Fund for Journalists – Structured Guide
The Postcode Lottery Fund for Journalists supports international reporting projects by professional journalists working in the Dutch-speaking media landscape. It aims to improve the quality and reach of foreign journalism by enabling field-based reporting outside the journalist’s home country.
The fund prioritises impactful, well-researched, and audience-relevant storytelling from abroad.
Purpose and Core Objectives
The programme is designed to strengthen foreign journalism capacity and global reporting quality.
Core Objectives
- Support foreign and international journalism projects
- Enable in-depth reporting from outside the home country
- Improve journalistic quality and research depth
- Expand audience-relevant international coverage
- Encourage challenging and investigative reporting
- Strengthen Dutch-language foreign correspondence
Funding Overview
Grant Value
- Up to €4,000 per project
Eligible Costs
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
Excluded Costs
- Food and drinks
- Journalist fees or salaries
- Internal production or administrative costs
Application Cycle
The fund operates on a fixed annual review system.
Review Frequency
- Applications assessed four times per year
Timing Requirement
- Projects must be planned and not yet initiated at time of application
Eligibility Criteria
Only professional journalists meeting strict criteria can apply.
Professional Requirements
- Must be a professional journalist
- Must have published in Dutch within the past year
- Articles, photography, or broadcast work accepted
Project Requirements
- Must be a foreign reporting project
- Must involve travel outside the journalist’s home location
- Must target a broad audience beyond local relevance
- Must demonstrate strong journalistic value and relevance
- Must present a well-developed and compelling pitch
Funding Restrictions
- Cannot fund projects already completed
- Must disclose any additional funding sources
- Must not duplicate funding from previous year
Financial and Co-Funding Requirements
Employer Contribution Rule
- Employer or client must cover part of the total costs
Transparency Requirement
- Applicants must disclose any:
- Additional subsidies
- Parallel funding applications
- External financial support
Ineligibility Rules
Applicants are not eligible if:
- They received funding from the same fund in the previous calendar year
- The project has already taken place
- They cannot demonstrate employer/client co-funding
- The project lacks international or broader audience relevance
Key Focus Areas
The fund prioritises strong journalistic storytelling with international relevance.
Supported Journalism Types
- Foreign correspondence
- Investigative international reporting
- Cultural or political reporting abroad
- Photojournalism from international locations
- Broadcast journalism in foreign contexts
Quality Expectations
- Strong editorial pitch
- Clear research or reporting plan
- Demonstrated relevance beyond local audience
- High journalistic and storytelling value
Why the Fund Matters
This programme strengthens independent foreign journalism in Dutch-speaking media.
Key Importance
- Enables international reporting access
- Supports high-quality journalism from abroad
- Reduces financial barriers to foreign correspondence
- Improves global awareness in Dutch media
- Encourages investigative and in-depth reporting
- Strengthens professional journalism standards
Long-Term Impact
- More diverse international news coverage
- Stronger public understanding of global issues
- Increased quality in Dutch-language foreign journalism
- Expanded opportunities for professional journalists
How the Fund Works
Application Process Flow
- Journalist develops foreign reporting proposal
- Employer/client confirms partial cost coverage
- Application submitted to the fund
- Quarterly review and evaluation process
- Funding decision made (up to €4,000)
- Approved projects executed with travel and accommodation support
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting completed or ongoing projects
- Lack of employer or client co-funding commitment
- Weak justification for international relevance
- Failure to disclose additional funding sources
- Poorly developed or vague reporting pitch
- Applying without recent Dutch-language publication record
Best Practices for Applicants
- Develop a clear, strong journalistic pitch
- Demonstrate international relevance and audience reach
- Ensure employer co-funding is confirmed early
- Provide detailed travel and reporting plan
- Highlight investigative or in-depth reporting value
- Ensure compliance with eligibility and disclosure rules
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Postcode Lottery Fund for Journalists?
It is a funding programme supporting Dutch-speaking journalists to carry out foreign reporting projects.
How much funding is available?
Up to €4,000 per project, specifically for travel and accommodation.
Who can apply?
Professional journalists who have published in Dutch within the past year.
What types of costs are covered?
Only travel and accommodation expenses are covered.
How often can I apply?
Applications are assessed four times per year, but past recipients cannot apply again within the same calendar year.
Do I need employer support?
Yes, the employer or client must contribute to project costs.
What kind of projects are eligible?
Foreign reporting projects with broad audience relevance and strong journalistic value.
Conclusion
The Postcode Lottery Fund for Journalists supports high-quality international reporting by enabling Dutch-speaking journalists to conduct foreign assignments. Through targeted funding for travel and accommodation, it strengthens global journalism, expands audience-relevant reporting, and promotes in-depth storytelling on international issues.
For more information, visit Free Press Unlimited.
