European Cross-border grants
This grant aims to address the shortage of independent journalism by providing grants to investigative journalism projects in Europe and encouraging cross-border collaboration with an expert approach.
This award-winning European Cross-border Grant programme (running since 2009) supports cross-border teams of professional journalists and/or news outlets who have strong ideas for cross-border investigations and research on European topics.
The proposed projects must have substantive news value and depth, while at the same time being original and innovative. Projects can include cross-border research, networking between colleagues, and established and innovative investigative methods. The stories must be relevant to European audiences.
Journalismfund Europe supports costs related to journalistic research for all types of media formats, which could not be covered without the grant support. This can include travel, translation, access to pay-databases and/or time to pursue the research. We do not support fixed costs such as office costs and other investments such as cameras or computers or production costs.
Alongside the applications for funding, teams can also apply to receive support from a project advisor and work with an expert to enrich their investigation.
A New Approach: Expert-Reviewed Journalism
We introduce a new component to our grant programme: expert-reviewed journalism. For journalists who’d like to take a more scientific and methodical approach to their investigations and thus strengthen their investigations, the European Cross-border Grants programme now offers them the possibility to work with subject-matter experts.
This new support comes in the form of Project Advisors and Experts, who will work closely with grantees throughout their project. Project Advisors will help teams to connect with relevant experts and act as a mediator between journalists and experts. Project advisors will be chosen among a pool of advisors compiled by our project partner SSE Riga. Experts will be selected by the journalistic team, with support from the Project Advisor, based on their expertise in the topic of the investigation.
Please see the grant rules for more detail. The Introductory Webinar recording held on 21 January 2025 is also available to watch.
FOR WHO
Independent Journalists and/or News Outlets
Cross-border teams of at least two professional journalists and/or independent news outlets from at least two different countries in Europe are eligible to apply. At least 80% of the requested budget must go to journalists/media from EU countries.
When relevant for the story, team members from elsewhere can be accepted too.
HOW MUCH
€1,680,000
The total grant budget is €1,680,000 to distribute over six application rounds (€280,000 per call). 4 calls in 2026 and 2 calls in 2027.
From 2026 to 2027, the programme will be funded by the European Union and by Stichting Veronica.
NEXT DEADLINE
19 March 2026
For this grant programme, there are four application rounds scheduled in 2026:
- Thursday 19 March 2026 at 1 pm CET
- Thursday 21 May 2026 at 1 pm CET
- Thursday 30 July 2026 at 1 pm CET
- Thursday 1 October 2026 at 1 pm CET
In 2027, two application deadlines are scheduled: 7 January and 11 March at 1 pm CET.
How to apply?
1. Before you start, please consult the grant details, where you can find the rules, eligibility and assessment criteria, timing etc.
2. Use your email address for one-time registration and access our application form (under construction) online. Freely navigate through the online form to see which information you need to provide in your application. This includes:
- Team members’ details, company details, ...
- Information about the intended investigation,
- Information about the intended publication channels, including letters of intent from news outlets,
- And a detailed budget, according to our budget template.
You will also be asked to upload additional administrative documents.
One team member can start a draft application. S/he can then invite multiple people to collaborate on the online draft. The online application-in-progress can be saved and further edited at any time.
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. Therefore, please don't hesitate to contact us via phone or email us at expjou@journalismfund.eu. Or we can meet via a video call, so feel free to make an appointment. Check out our pre-application session schedules and make a reservation now.
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