2009-11-12
BRUSSELS - Journalismfund.eu just has closed the 2nd round of applications for research stipendia. A first screening shows more applicants than in the first round and very targeted applications, most of them for clearly investigative stories.
Where did the public money disappear to? Who broke the law? What are the health effects? 44 journalists are asking the tough questions and intend to document them for readers and viewers.
By the deadline of November 8th Journalismfund.eu received 21 applications from 44 journalists. The main applicants come from 15 different countries.
Among the main applicants in the current round are 6 women and 15 men.
Together they apply for a sum of € 160.000, and as the applications appear to be of high quality and from skilled journalists, the jury will have a hard time evaluating them. The jury consists of four estimated media personalities and are anonymous until they leave the jury.
The first round of applications was granted in the spring of 2009. Five teams were granted research money of € 20.000 and are currently working on the subjects.
One team has already finished its preliminary research about an environment related health problem and is currently fundraising for the production of the story. The four other teams are looking into trafficking of labour, money laundering and other issues, publications are expected in the coming months and the spring of 2010.
