The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) is unveiling a new effort to provide immediate emergency grants to U.S.-based freelance investigative journalists working on stories on the coronavirus that break new ground and expose wrongdoing in the public or private sector.
We know the budgets of some journalism news outlets may be stressed during these uncertain economic times, potentially affecting freelance reporters. For the next few months, we will offer small grants of up to $10,000, on a rolling basis, for freelance investigative projects that have a strong U.S. angle involving American citizens, government or business. All stories must be published in English and have a media outlet in the United States. You do not have to wait for a standard application deadline — you can apply now.
FIJ encourages proposals written for ethnic media as well as those submitted by journalists of color and involving the impact of the coronavirus in U.S. ethnic communities.
FIJ was created in 1969 when another crisis, the Vietnam War, was looming. Our first major investment was a grant to freelancer Seymour Hersh who in 1969 needed a travel grant to investigate a tip about the U.S. military massacre of civilians in My Lai, Vietnam. Since then we have awarded $4.5 million in grants to freelance reporters, authors, and small publications.
Applicants should submit a proposal of no more than two pages, a letter of commitment from a publication, and a budget. We will approve grants on a rolling basis until further notice.
Read Our Coronavirus Grant FAQ Sheet!
For more information please write to [email protected].
Fund for Investigative Journalism Announces Coronavirus Rolling Grant
