IJ4EU Grant Investigation Support Scheme

The IJ4EU’s Investigation Support Scheme provides financial support to cross-border journalistic teams working on investigations of public interest in Europe. The scheme is currently open for applications, with a deadline on October 28, 2024.

Grant Details

The Investigation Support Scheme offers grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000, specifically designed to aid cross-border investigative projects in Europe. In the 2024/25 funding round, the scheme will distribute a total of €1.5 million in grants. The scheme is managed by the International Press Institute (IPI), and projects will be selected by an independent jury.

There are three calls for applications during the 2024/25 funding period:

• First call: February 1, 2024
• Second call: September 2, 2024
• Third call: January 13, 2025

The deadline for each call is eight weeks after the launch date.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the IJ4EU Investigation Support Scheme, applicants must be teams of journalists or news organisations based in at least two European countries that participate in the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme. This includes all 27 EU member states as well as non-EU countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine.

Teams may include members from outside Europe, but they must fulfill the core geographical requirements with at least two team members based in Europe. The project must focus on a cross-border topic that reveals new information of relevance to the public in the target countries or broader European audience.

Eligible Topics

The IJ4EU welcomes investigative projects on any topic of public interest, including but not limited to:

• Corruption and financial crime
• Security and democracy
• Human rights
• Environment and climate change
• Migration and public health

Projects addressing underreported issues or coming from countries where investigative journalism is under pressure are especially encouraged to apply.

Funding Structure

The grants can cover up to 100% of a project’s costs, with a flexible tier system to accommodate a range of project sizes:

• Tier 1: €5,000 to €15,000 for smaller, focused investigations.
• Tier 2: €15,000 to €35,000 for more resource-intensive projects.
• Tier 3: €35,000 to €50,000 for large-scale or complex investigations.

Applicants are required to submit a budget, and funds will be disbursed in three instalments: 40% upon signing the agreement, 30% after a mid-term report, and 30% upon publication of the investigation.

Publication Requirements

Projects must aim to be published by respected news organisations in at least two European countries. The publication must acknowledge the IJ4EU fund. While projects can initially be behind a paywall, they must be made publicly available after one month.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted in English through the secure Good Grants platform. Applicants must provide details on their team, project description, relevance, research and publication plan, risk assessment, expected legal needs, and budget. The deadline for the current call is October 28, 2024.

Additional Support

The IJ4EU provides grantees with editorial, legal, and networking support to ensure the success of their investigations. This includes access to a legal contingency fund, editorial advice, and secure digital workspaces.

For more information, visit the IJ4EU official website or consult their FAQ section.

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