This programme supports cross-border teams of professional journalists and/or news outlets investigating issues related to farm animal welfare and European interests, both within and beyond Europe.
Many of the animals raised for our food supply remain largely out of sight of the public. This includes chickens, pigs and cattle, as well as species produced in large-scale breeding systems such as salmon, tilapia, catfish, scampi and sturgeon. The way these animals live, how their production is organised, and the social consequences of this are rarely discussed in detail.
The Invisible Life grant programme will form part of Journalismfund's Environmental Investigative Journalism Grant programme, to raise awareness, increase transparency and promote well-informed public debate on food and sustainability by supporting journalists. The focus is on the lives and welfare of farmed animals. The programme is NOT intended to promote activism or a single point of view; rather, it seeks to bring together facts, context and diverse perspectives to enrich and better inform public debate.
Supported investigations must result in publications in at least two media outlets based in different countries. At least one of these outlets must be European and target European audiences.
The grant can cover working time and expenses such as logistics, travel, insurance, access to legal support, translations, access to technology and data sets, etc.
Next to financial support, teams can also apply for an experienced mentor to provide assistance with either the focus of the investigation or the need for competences in a specific skill.
Introductory webinar! Join us to learn more about the grant programme. Click here for more info!
For who
Freelance journalists and media outlets
Cross-border teams: at least two professional journalists and/or news outlets concerning animal farm welfare.
Applicants must be legally residing in at least two different countries, must concern cross-border investigative journalism on European affairs, in or outside Europe.
How much
€300,000
The total available amount per call to be distributed among all supported investigations is €150,000. There will be 2 calls in 2026.
The total budget for 2026 is €300,000.
The programme is supported by Coefficient Giving.
Next deadline
27 August 2026
Two application rounds are scheduled for this grant programme in 2026.
- Thursday 27 August 2026 at 1 pm CET (Brussels time)
- Thursday 29 October 2026 at 1 pm CET (Brussels time)
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. After a one-time registration with your email address, you can access our online application form. You can freely navigate through the form to see which information you need to provide in your application. This includes:
- team members' details
- information about the intended investigation
- information about the intended publication channels, including letters of intent from news outlets
- a detailed budget, according to our budget template
You will also be asked to upload some administrative documents.
One team member can start a draft application. He or she 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. So don't hesitate to contact us via phone or mail, or to make an appointment for a video call.
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