Deadline: 14-Sep-2026
The FIJ Seed Funding program supports early investigative journalism that exposes hidden wrongdoing and contributes to public accountability.
It is designed to help journalists begin complex investigations by covering essential early-stage reporting costs.
The programme supports work that may later appear in:
- Newspapers and magazines
- Online journalism platforms
- Broadcast media
- Podcasts and documentaries
- Books and long-form investigative projects
Key Objectives
The program aims to:
- Support investigative journalism at the early research stage
- Expose wrongdoing or hidden information
- Strengthen accountability and transparency
- Enable deeper reporting through financial support
- Encourage high-impact journalism with a U.S. focus
Eligible Activities
Seed funding can be used for:
- Open-records (FOIA) requests
- Preliminary reporting trips
- Source identification and interviews
- Document acquisition and research
- Early-stage investigative work
- Reporting-related time and expenses
Funding Details
- Grant size: $1,000 to $2,500
- Payment: Full amount paid upfront
- Purpose: Early-stage investigative reporting costs
Funding cannot be used solely as a salary substitute and must include broader reporting expenses.
Eligible Applicants
Applicants must be:
- Freelance journalists
- Non-full-time reporters
- Individuals not employed full-time by media organisations
Project Requirements
Proposed investigations must:
- Be investigative in nature
- Focus on uncovering hidden wrongdoing or issues
- Have a strong connection to the United States
- Demonstrate a viable and research-backed story idea
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- A resume
- Two journalism work samples
- Optional recommendation letter (editor, mentor, or professor)
- A one-paragraph project summary
- A detailed investigative proposal including:
- Story background
- Evidence of potential wrongdoing or gap
- Planned reporting activities
- Sources or preliminary findings
- Explanation of story viability
What Makes a Strong Application
Successful proposals typically show:
- Clear investigative angle
- Evidence of wrongdoing or systemic issue
- Strong reporting plan
- Access to potential sources or leads
- Feasible and focused early-stage scope
Ineligible Uses
The grant cannot be used for:
- Fully developed or completed stories
- Projects without investigative intent
- Pure salary or personal compensation without reporting costs
- Non-journalistic projects
How to Apply
Applicants should:
- Identify a strong investigative story with a U.S. focus
- Conduct preliminary research or identify leads
- Prepare required documents (resume and work samples)
- Write a clear investigative proposal
- Submit application through FIJ’s grant process
Tips for Applicants
To improve chances of success:
- Focus on uncovering specific wrongdoing or systemic issues
- Provide concrete leads or evidence of a story
- Show how seed funding enables deeper reporting
- Keep the scope realistic and investigative
- Emphasise public interest impact
Avoid vague topics or stories without clear investigative potential.
FAQ
Who can apply?
Freelance journalists and non-full-time reporters.
How much funding is available?
Between $1,000 and $2,500 per project.
What is the main purpose of the grant?
To support early-stage investigative journalism in the United States.
Can staff journalists apply?
No. Full-time staff reporters are not eligible.
What kind of stories are supported?
Investigations into hidden wrongdoing, misconduct, or public interest issues.
Is international reporting allowed?
The story must have a strong U.S. connection.
Conclusion
The Fund for Investigative Journalism Seed Funding program supports freelance journalists in launching early-stage investigative projects that uncover wrongdoing and serve the public interest. By funding essential preliminary reporting, it helps journalists build strong foundations for impactful, long-form investigations.
For more information, visit Fund for Investigative Journalism.