Investigation Support Scheme

Description

1) Objective

The IJ4EU’s Investigation Support Scheme is a significant initiative offering financial backing to cross-border journalistic teams in Europe, focusing on public interest investigations. With a fund of €1.5 million for 2024/25, managed by the International Press Institute (IPI), the scheme aims to bolster investigative journalism across Europe. It supports projects that reveal new information on topics of cross-border relevance, including corruption, human rights, and environmental issues.

By providing grants ranging from €5,000 to €50,000, the scheme encourages diverse, impactful journalism, especially in regions where investigative reporting faces financial and political pressures.

2) Eligibility

Teams must consist of members based in at least two European countries participating in the EU’s Creative Europe Programme. Eligible countries include all 27 EU member states and Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine. Teams can include journalists working in newsrooms or as freelancers. The focus should be on cross-border topics, and teams from countries where investigative journalism is under pressure are particularly encouraged to apply.

3) Location

Eligible countries include all 27 EU member states, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine.

4) Budget

The scheme offers grants between €5,000 and €50,000, with a total fund of €1.5 million for 2024/25. The grant can cover up to 100% of a project’s costs, and co-funding is encouraged but not mandatory.

5) Application

The deadline for applications is eight weeks after the launch of the call, on March 31 at 23:59 CEST.