Apply Now: Pascal Decroos Fund for Investigative Journalism (Belgium)

The programme awards grants to distinctive journalistic projects. The grant gives experienced as well as young journalists the chance to execute their investigative ideas and by doing so, contribute to quality investigative journalism in Flanders.

The grant programme – established in 1998 – has resided under the wings of Journalismfund Europe since 2013. The programme is subsidised by the Flemish Government. In February 2022, the Flemish Governement and Journalismfund Europe vzw have signed for the first time a cooperation agreement for a period of 4 years (2022-2025). The contract provides a subsidy of 481.000 euros per year for the Pascal Decroos Fund project and FPD Low Countries.

Grant Types

• The Pascal Decroos Fund has three types of grants:
  • Investigative Journalism: A working grant for investigative journalism allows the applicant to concentrate on one particular topic for a longer period of time.
  • In-Depth Journalism: The projects must go beyond regular reporting, daily journalism or correspondence. The subject or theme must be special, or else the approach or angle.
  • Preliminary Research: When it is not clear whether the inquiries will yield the expected results, it is possible to apply for a grant to cover the expenses of the preliminary research.

Funding Information

• In 2024, there is €280.000 to distribute over four application rounds, which means approx. €70.000 per round. The money comes from the Flemish government.

Eligibility Criteria                   

• Both beginning (starters) and experienced journalist (seniors) can submit a project that cannot be realised through the normal channels of journalism, that has major news value and depth and that is also original, innovative and time-consuming.
• The applicant must be a journalist (written or audio-visual press), or be able to prove that he/she is aspiring to a career in journalism. Personal references and/or references to earlier work are essential in that respect.
• Only natural persons can apply for a grant.
• Projects with regard to investigative and special journalism must deal with topics that are relevant for Flanders.
• The project must be published in a Dutch-language medium in Belgium. A letter of intent for publication from at least one professional news outlet is required for journalists with more than 2 years of experience. For starters this is considered a plus.
• All journalistic end products qualify for a grant: newspaper and magazine articles, radio and television documentaries and series, photo-reportages and books, podcasts and journalistic non-fiction books.

For more information, visit Journalismfund Europe.