Deadline: 23-Apr-2026

Journalismfund Europe invites applications for the FPD Science Grant Programme, supporting in-depth and investigative science journalism in Dutch-language media in Belgium. Grants cover research costs, cross-border reporting, and professional development for both freelance and employed journalists, with a total budget of €65,000 for 2026.

Program Overview

The FPD Science Grant Programme aims to stimulate high-quality science journalism that explores scientific topics and their societal impact in Flanders and the Netherlands. The programme supports projects that are:

• Original and innovative

• Time-intensive, allowing deep investigative reporting

• Relevant to Dutch-language media in Belgium and the Netherlands

Grant Types

1. Investigative Journalism Grants – For journalists focusing on one topic over a longer period

2. In-Depth Journalism Grants – For projects that go beyond regular reporting

3. Preliminary Research Grants – For projects where results are uncertain but require research

Funding Details

• Total budget: €65,000 for 2026

• Per application round: ~€32,500

• Eligible expenses: Travel, visa, accommodation, translation, fixers, FOI requests, access to pay-databases, legal screening, and research time for freelancers

• Non-eligible expenses: IT equipment, cameras, office costs, production costs, food and beverage, per diems

Who is Eligible?

• Professional journalists (starters or seniors) or aspiring journalists with relevant references

• Must be natural persons

• Projects must be relevant for Flanders and published in a Dutch-language medium in Belgium and the Netherlands

• Experienced journalists (>2 years) must submit a letter of intent for publication from at least one professional news outlet on each side of the Dutch-Belgian border

• Starters are encouraged to provide letters of intent but it is not mandatory

Eligible Formats

• Newspaper and magazine articles

• Radio and television documentaries or series

• Podcasts

• Photo-reportages

• Journalistic non-fiction books

How to Apply / Application Process

1. Prepare required documents:

   • Personal ID or passport

   • CV

   • Letter(s) of intent from Dutch-language media outlets

   • Detailed budget according to the grant template

2. Submit online application:

   • Include project details, dissemination plan, and budget

   • Ensure all formalities are complete

3. Evaluation:

   • Applications reviewed by an independent jury of four investigative journalism experts

   • Jury and Journalismfund Europe maintain strict confidentiality

   • Decisions are communicated around 40 days after the deadline

Application Deadline

• 23 April 2026 at 13:00 CET

Why It Matters

The programme enhances science literacy, public awareness, and cross-border journalism quality by enabling journalists to:

• Conduct rigorous investigative research

• Access professional resources for deep reporting

• Publish impactful work in Dutch-language media across Belgium and the Netherlands

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete personal or project information

• Failing to provide letters of intent for experienced journalists

• Including non-eligible costs in the budget

• Ignoring cross-border publication requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the grant?
   Professional journalists (starters or seniors) or aspiring journalists with references.

2. What types of projects are eligible?
   Investigative, in-depth, or preliminary research projects on science topics relevant to Dutch-language media in Belgium.

3. What expenses are covered?
   Travel, visa, accommodation, translation, fixers, FOI requests, pay-database access, legal screening, and research time for freelancers.

4. Are equipment or office costs eligible?
   No, costs for IT equipment, cameras, office expenses, production, food, and per diems are not eligible.

5. What publication requirements exist?
   Final work must be published in Dutch-language media in Belgium and a medium in the Netherlands.

6. When will applicants know the results?
   Decisions are typically communicated around 40 days after the application deadline.

7. How should applications be submitted?
   Through the online application form, with all required personal, project, and budget details.

Conclusion

The FPD Science Grant Programme supports journalists in producing high-quality, investigative science journalism that informs and engages the public. By funding in-depth projects with a societal impact, the programme strengthens cross-border journalistic collaboration and contributes to a more scientifically informed audience in Belgium and the Netherlands.

For more information, visit Journalismfund Europe.