CFAs: FPU Cross-Border Investigations Funding

This open call for applications is part of the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (CIJI). Independent European media organisations, as well as staff and freelance journalists residing in the EU and working with these media are encouraged to apply for grants. Applications from journalists from Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia, who are currently legally residing in the EU due to the war in Ukraine or media censorship in Belarus and Russia, are especially welcome.

Funding Information

• Ten grants, each worth 10,000 EUR, will be awarded to teams of journalists

Grant Coverage

• Grants can fund:
  • Freelance fees
  • Travel, accommodation, subsistence
  • Graphics, design, visualization
  • Equipment rental for production and post-production
  • Translations for wider reach
• Grants do not cover:
  • Staff journalists’ salaries
  • Pre-grant costs or previously published work
  • Indirect costs (overheads)
  • Equipment or general-purpose software purchases
  • Office and rent
  • Unethical or illegal activities

Grantee Expectations

• Maintain regular communication with FPU and mentors.
• Promptly report any major developments affecting the project.

Who can apply?

• Cross-border teams of independent European media organisations, freelance and/or staff journalists with a proven track record in cross-border investigative journalism.
• Teams should be composed of at least two journalists/or two media organisations residing in two different European countries that are part of the full cross-sectoral strand of the European Union’s Creative Europe Programme.
• Journalists from Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia, who are currently legally residing within the EU due to the war in Ukraine or media censorship in Belarus and Russia are also eligible to apply.
• EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Admissibility Criteria

• Story relevance to at least two EU countries, or one EU country and Ukraine, Belarus, or Russia. Wider dissemination is possible and encouraged.
• Prior discussion with and potential publication in at least two EU-based media outlets, evidenced by letters of commitment.
• The story should be published by at least two media outlets from the countries where the story narrative unfolds, in order to engage their local or national audiences.

Selection Criteria 

• The jury will evaluate applications based on:
  • Editorial Quality: Under-reported topics, fresh perspectives, evidence-backed or solution-oriented approaches.
  • Story Relevance: Timeliness, local, national, regional, or European importance, cross-border relevance.
  • Reach and Impact: Audience engagement potential, suitable format, publication plan, desired impact.
  • Project Feasibility: Realistic timeline, budget, risk assessment, and mitigation.
  • Applicants’ Experience: Team’s ability to execute the project.

For more information, visit Free Press Unlimited.