The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) is calling for submissions of applications from Journalists from around the world for its final Investigative Journalists Grant for 2017.
The FIJ grant seeks for stories that break new ground and expose wrongdoing – such as corruption, malfeasance, or misuse of power in the public and private sectors. FIJ accepts applications for projects on domestic and international issues.
FIJ awards a maximum grant of $10,000 that covers out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, and equipment rental. The Fund also considers requests for small stipends, as part of the budget.
It is the FIJ policy to pay the first half of approved grants to successful applicants, while the second half of the grant is paid on evidence of publication of a completed project in accordance with the original proposal. Second half grants are not guaranteed if projects are not completed in a timely fashion.
Interested applicants must obtain a letter of Commitment from a news editor pledging that the news outlet will publish or air the story – as long as it meets the publication’s expectations and standards.
This letter should not be thought of as an unqualified pledge. If the work is not satisfactory, the news outlet cannot be expected to publish it. However, FIJ needs this commitment before it makes a grant because it doesn’t have the capacity to help reporters place stories.
Application requirements include a proposal, resume, work sample, budget, and a letter of commitment from a news outlet pledging to run the story if it is completed as proposed and meets the news organization’s journalistic standards. All application documents must be written in English and budgets expressed in U.S. dollars.
The deadline for the final round of 2017 applications is September 25, 2017.
For more information on application please visit: http://fij.org/apply-for-a-grant/