Call for Applications: The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ)

The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) has opened applications for its grant programme, supporting reporters to produce high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact.

The programme offers several funding tracks designed to support journalists at different stages of their investigations, from early-stage research through to full investigative reporting and follow-up coverage.

Funding

FIJ offers multiple grant types depending on the stage and nature of the project:

• Regular grants of up to $10,000 for full investigative proposals, reviewed three to four times a year

• Seed funding of $1,000 to $2,500 for preliminary reporting to develop a story, such as open-records requests and initial reporting trips

• Follow-up grants of up to $2,500 for timely follow-up coverage to original investigations previously funded by FIJ

• Alicia Patterson Fellowships of $20,000 (six months) or $40,000 (twelve months) for fellows travelling, researching, and writing on specific topics

  
  

Grants cover out-of-pocket expenses such as travel, document collection, equipment rental, and reporting time.

Programme Focus

The Fund supports investigative journalism that breaks new ground and exposes wrongdoing, including corruption, malfeasance, and misuse of power in both the public and private sectors. Supported formats include print, online, and broadcast stories, books, documentaries, and podcasts.

The Fund especially encourages proposals written for ethnic media and submitted by journalists of colour.

Eligibility

Applications are open to:

• Freelance journalists and staff reporters

• Media outlets

• Book authors and documentary filmmakers

International proposals are considered, but must have a strong United States angle involving American citizens, government, or business, and must be published in English with a US-based media outlet.

Full investigative proposals require a Letter of Commitment from a news outlet confirming intent to publish or air the story. Seed funding proposals do not require this letter, though a letter of recommendation from an editor, mentor, or professor may be included.

Application Information

Application deadline: 14 September 2026

Applications are submitted through separate forms for each grant type. The Fund does not accept resubmissions of previously declined proposals or multiple proposals from the same applicant in a single grant cycle.

For more information and to apply, click here.