Reporting Grants Opportunity 2024/2025 Calling for Post IACC in Vilnius Journalism Fellows & Journalists for Transparency Investigative Reporting
Overview
This call is an opportunity to apply for the Journalists for Transparency Grants/Stipend Programme led by the IACC Series. The call is uniquely for all IACC Journalism Fellows and IACC Young Journalists Alumni who have joined TI’s Young Journalists Programme this year in Vilnius, or in previous years.
Individuals may apply separately, or in groups for a collaborative reporting project. Please specify the names of all working on the proposed reporting. It is possible to submit several pitches and all will be reviewed carefully.
Reporting Grants Available
J4T is calling for journalists to cover investigative stories, audio and or multimedia reporting focusing on exposing cross border corruption, corruption and bribery in our daily lives, abuse of power for personal gain and or ‘Holding Power to Account’.
The following topics are of interest, you may also propose other topics: corruption in extractive industries (critical minerals), infrastructure projects, the health sector, environment, biodiversity and forest sectors. Further areas of interest for investigations include the strategic priorities in the Transparency International strategy 2030.
- Protect the public’s resources
- Stop flows of dirty money
- Secure integrity in politics
- Drive integrity in business
- Pursue enforcement and justice
- Expand civic space for accountability
- Build community leadership against corruption and building public demand of accountability
- Protecting the climate
- Gender
The investigations must be completed within a maximum of 3-4 months and be fully complete by 15 April 2025.
Who can apply ?
This call is targeted at members of the IACC Journalism Fellows/Journalists for Transparency network.
Timeframe & How to Pitch
We are accepting reporting pitches on a rolling basis until latest 15 January 2025. However, we encourage all interested to please submit your application as soon as possible (a short reporting pitch outlining the thematic focus and corruption angle (link to your CV) timeline, indicative budget with links to 1-2 work samples to the following email address: pomalley@transparency.org) It is possible to update your pitch once it has been submitted.
We will be happy to receive pitches as soon as possible. We typically award grants of 2,000 – 11,000 Euros for J4T reporting. Do feel welcome to apply as a team for a larger and hard-hitting investigation. Any questions please write to us directly. We may ask you to join us for a short call to discuss your pitch and reporting plan.
Selection Process
All Pitches will be reviewed based on the following criteria: Corruption angle, feasibility of the reporting, how original and novel the reporting is, a realistic budget, risk assessment. Please indicate if you already have a proposed media outlet in mind for publishing the investigation.
Budgeting
As needed you can include: Equipment rental, fixer, translations, related insurances, research stipend, full travel and transport, basic supplies. You are asked to keep all related expense receipts.
Expenses can be incurred as soon as the contract and budget are agreed with the IACC team.
This initiative is aimed at promoting independent investigative journalism. TI does not get involved in the editorial process. A senior editor and mentor will be available to support this work and can work in tandem with you as needed.
Previous J4T Reporting supported by such grants includes
https://theintercept.com/2024/04/03/madagascar-rio-tinto-mine-water-contamination/
https://unbiasthenews.org/deep-sea-mining-profits-under-scrutiny/
We ask all involved to please prioritize your safety and the safety of the communities in which you work. While some journalists may put themselves in harm’s way or unnecessary legal risk in pursuit of a story, we ask that you please take all precautions to protect yourself and the communities you cover. Please follow local, regional, and national guidelines for accredited journalists in your region.