ECBG

This grant and mentoring programme aims to address the shortage of independent journalism by providing grants to investigative journalism projects in Europe and encouraging cross-border collaboration.

This awarded European Cross-Border Grant programme (running since 2009) supports professional journalists who have good ideas for cross-border investigations and for research on European topics. The stories must be relevant to European target groups.

These are projects that have great news value and depth, and at the same time are original, innovative and time-consuming, and would not be realised without financial support. Projects can include cross-border research, networking between colleagues, and established and innovative investigative methods.

Journalismfund Europe supports costs related to journalistic research for all media. This can include travel, translation, access to pay-databases or simply time to research. We do not support fixed costs such as office costs, investments such as cameras or computers or production costs.

Next to a grant, teams can also apply for a mentor to provide assistance with either the focus of the investigation or the need for competences in a specific skill.

Financial support

For the European Cross-Border grants, Journalismfund Europe receives support from the Open Society Foundations (OSF), Addesium foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), Fritt Ord, Vereniging Veronica, Porticus, Fondation Puech, and Limelight Foundations. OSF and Addessium foundation have structurally supported the programme since 2009.

Journalists living in continental Europe (plus Kosovo) are eligible to apply. Which means that this grant is inclusive for all Europeans and not just those who live in the European Union. 

An independent jury of four decides who gets a grant. Here's how the jury works.

Find stories subsidised by this grant programme here.

Need help?

Take a look at our FAQ. Next, we're always happy to discuss your project ideas or to answer any questions you might have about your application. So don't hesitate to contact us via phone or mail, or to make an appointment for a video call.

Contact us

For Who
Journalists from continental Europe

Teams of journalists from at least two countries in continental Europe are eligible to apply.

When relevant for the story, team members from elsewhere can be accepted too.

How Much
€200,000

In 2023 there is a total grant budget of €200,000 to distribute over four application rounds.

For the next round, we have €50.000 available.

For the period 2021-2024, the programme is supported by 8 foundations:

  • Stavros Niarchos Foundation
  • Open Society Foundations
  • Adessium Foundation
  • Limelight Foundation
  • Vereniging Veronica
  • Fritt Ord
  • Porticus
  • Fondation Puech
Next deadline
13 July 2023

For this grant programme there are 4 application rounds scheduled in 2022.

  • The first application deadline was Thursday 19 January 2023 at 12 pm CET (noon Brussels time).
  • The second deadline was Thursday 20 April 2023 at 12 pm CET (noon Brussels time).
  • The third deadline: Thursday 13 July 2023 at 12 pm CEST (noon Brussels time).
  • The fourth deadline: Thursday 26 October 2023 at 12 pm CEST (noon Brussels time).
 
Apply here