The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) in conjunction with Facebook Journalism Project is calling for entries of projects focused on strengthening fact-checking and the fight against misinformation. They are seeking for projects that bring fact-checkers together with developers and/or academics to build and test technology solutions that protect high integrity journalism and help fact-checkers do their work.
The call follows the launch of the second round of the Fact-Checking Innovation Initiative, this time focusing on technology innovation and development.
Successful applicants for this round will share funding totalling up to $450,000 as well as opportunities to share learnings with each other and with the wider fact-checking community. They will also get access to IFCN and select committee members.
Applicants can submit no more than one proposal and a budget of up to $100,000 in funding.
The initiative is interested in high priority areas that include, but are not limited to:
- Increasing the scale, efficiency or workflow of fact-checking;
- Increasing the distribution of fact-checks by developing apps or tools to reach new audiences;
- Deploying new solutions and tools to address visual misinform mation and manipulated media and
- Facilitating collaboration among newsrooms on fact-checking through technology.
To be eligible, fact-checking organizations must be verified signatories of the IFCN’s Code of Principles. Organizations that have been regularly publishing non-partisan fact checks over the last three months are eligible to apply.
For applicants that are not fact-checking organizations but partnering with fact-checking organizations, they will be asked to send a memorandum of understanding during their application process to the partnering fact-checking organization.
Applicants must agree that if they are awarded a grant, the IFCN and Facebook may use data and information they provide in the initial application and subsequent reporting form with other fact-checking organizations.
Fact-checking organizations that partner with applicants that are not fact-checking organizations, forfeit their rights to apply to this call as standalone applicants.
IFCN reserves the right to negotiate the requested budget with the applicants.
Applications close on July 24, 2020.
For more information and to apply, please go to https://ifcn.submittable.com/submit/7b5e09c3-2ab5-4e58-b3d5-29f91e9fa56f/fact-checking-innovation-initiative-2nd-round.
