The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) provides grants and other support for reporters to produce high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact.
Freelance journalists, staff reporters and media outlets are eligible for grants, and their investigations can be for print, online or broadcast stories, books, documentaries or podcasts.
The Fund provides several types of grants:
- Regular grants: The Fund reviews proposals three to four times a year for grants up to $10,000. The next deadline is Monday, September 14, 2026.
- Seed funding: The Fund provides small grants, up to $2,500, for preliminary reporting that can lead to full investigations. These grants cover costs like open-records requests and initial reporting trips. The next deadline is Monday, September 14, 2026.
- Follow-up grants: The Fund accepts proposals for timely follow-up coverage to original investigations that were produced with grants from the Fund. Grantees can apply for expedited review for follow-up grants up to $2,500.
- Regular grants for those who have previously received Seed funding: The Fund reviews proposals for individuals who received Seed funding from FIJ for grants up to $10,000 on a rolling basis. Applicants receive a decision within about two to four weeks.
- Alicia Patterson Fellowships: Fellows will spend either six or 12 months traveling, researching, reporting and writing stories on specific topics that will be published in news outlets. Fellows are awarded $40,000 for a 12-month grant or $20,000 for a six-month grant.
DEADLINE: 14 September, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO APPLY
