Deadline: 19-Mar-2026
The Journalismfund Europe Cross-border Grant Program provides funding for investigative journalism projects that collaborate across at least two European countries. Grants cover research-related costs, including reporting, travel, legal checks, and expert support, with a focus on news value, originality, and societal impact. Applications are due by 19 March 2026, 13:00 CET, with €280,000 available per round.
The European Cross-border Grant Program by Journalismfund Europe supports independent investigative journalism that addresses critical societal issues across European borders. The programme aims to strengthen journalistic quality, encourage collaboration, and enhance the impact of investigative reporting.
This initiative targets projects that involve at least two countries, fostering cross-border investigations with substantive news value and relevance to European audiences.
What the Grant Covers
The programme funds costs directly related to journalistic research, including:
• Working time for journalists
• Travel, visas, and accommodation required for reporting
• Translation and language services
• Fixers and local support
• Access to pay-databases and freedom of information requests
• Legal screening and compliance checks
• Insurance for the project
What the Grant Does Not Cover
• Fixed or overhead costs (office rent, equipment purchases, computers, cameras)
• Production costs (editing, printing, or distribution)
• Recoverable VAT
• Food, beverage, or per diems
• In-person coordination meetings (online collaboration encouraged)
Funding is designed to enable investigations that would not be feasible without grant support.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible Applicants
• Professional freelance journalists
• Legally established media outlets incorporated for at least one year before the deadline
• Independent journalists and media working in cross-border teams
Team Requirements
• Minimum of two professional journalists and/or media organizations
• Representation from at least two different European countries
• At least 80% of the budget must go to journalists or media domiciled in EU countries
• Team members from outside Europe may be included if relevant to the story
Publication Requirements
• Projects must be published by at least two professional news outlets in two European countries
• Letters of intent from the publishing outlets are mandatory
Ineligible Applicants
• Students or non-professional journalists
• Teams lacking cross-border collaboration
Expert-Reviewed Journalism Component
A new feature allows investigative teams to work with subject-matter experts to enhance scientific, methodical, and investigative quality.
• Project advisors are assigned by SSE Riga and mediate between journalists and experts
• Experts are selected by the team with guidance from the advisor and paid by Journalismfund Europe
• Advisors are paid by SSE Riga
• Editorial independence remains with the investigative team
This ensures rigorous, expert-informed investigative journalism while maintaining journalistic autonomy.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are evaluated by a rotating independent jury of investigative journalism experts. Key assessment areas include:
• Inclusion of expert-led review
• Added value compared to mainstream coverage
• Societal relevance and newsworthiness
• Originality, quality of methods, and storytelling
• Feasibility of timeline and budget
• Team structure and experience
• Strength of cross-border collaboration
• Pooling of knowledge and resources
• Diversity in regional coverage, team composition, topics, methods, and formats
The evaluation process follows strict confidentiality and conflict-of-interest rules.
Ethical and Publication Requirements
Grantees must:
• Endorse the Global Charter of Ethics for Journalists
• Follow relevant national codes of ethics
• Acknowledge support from Journalismfund Europe in final publications
Funding and Disbursement
• Total budget: €1,120,000 across six rounds (€280,000 per round)
• Grants are paid in two instalments:
– Two-thirds on signing the agreement
– One-third after publication and submission of expense documentation
• Payments are made in euros directly to the grantee’s bank account
How to Apply
Step 1: Form a Cross-Border Team
Identify at least two countries and build a team of journalists or media organizations capable of collaborative investigative work.
Step 2: Develop the Investigation Proposal
Include:
• Project topic and relevance to European audiences
• Research plan and investigative methods
• Cross-border collaboration plan
• Expert consultation (optional but recommended)
• Timeline and detailed budget
Step 3: Secure Publication Intent
Obtain letters of intent from at least two professional news outlets in two different European countries.
Step 4: Submit Application
Submit a complete application by 19 March 2026, 13:00 CET, demonstrating cross-border collaboration, originality, feasibility, and newsworthiness.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Lack of cross-border collaboration or insufficient EU representation
• Missing letters of intent from publishing outlets
• Including ineligible costs (equipment, per diems, or office expenses)
• Not demonstrating newsworthiness or societal relevance
• Ignoring expert-review options for complex investigations
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the maximum funding per project?
€280,000 per call, with funding distributed to cover 70% of eligible project costs.
Can students or non-professional journalists apply?
No. Only professional freelance journalists or established media outlets are eligible.
Are in-person coordination meetings funded?
No. Travel for coordination is not funded; online collaboration is encouraged.
What types of investigative journalism are eligible?
All formats are eligible: print, online, broadcast, multimedia, documentaries, podcasts, photo-reportages, and journalistic non-fiction books.
Must projects include expert review?
It is optional but highly recommended to enhance scientific and methodological rigor.
When are grants disbursed?
Two instalments: two-thirds at agreement signing and one-third after publication and submission of expense documentation.
Conclusion
The Journalismfund Europe Cross-border Grant Program supports independent, high-quality investigative journalism that addresses societal issues across European borders. By funding cross-border collaborations, expert-reviewed investigations, and diverse journalistic formats, the program strengthens European journalism, promotes transparency, and ensures impactful reporting.
For more information, visit Journalismfund Europe.
