FIJ “Seed ” Grants for Early Reporting

The Fund for Investigative Journalism seed funding grants are for preliminary reporting for specific projects. The grants cover early reporting that can lead to full investigative projects. This includes, for example, open-records requests and initial reporting trips to identify and interview sources. The grants are up to $2,500. The next deadline is Jan. 30, 2026.

Journalists who receive seed funding can apply for full grants (up to $10,000) once they conduct the preliminary reporting and secure a commitment from a media outlet to publish or broadcast the story.

Freelance journalists and those who are not in full-time staff roles at a media outlet are eligible to apply for seed funding. Seed funding must be used to obtain documents or information that could lead to a full investigative story. The journalist’s time can be one cost covered by the grant, but it may not be the only cost. Other criteria for seed funding mirrors the Fund’s criteria for full grants: stories must be investigative in nature (meaning they uncover wrongdoing that was previously hidden or unknown), and journalists must be U.S.-based or working on a story with a very strong U.S. angle.

Opportunity offered by:

Fund for Investigative Journalism

The Fund for Investigative Journalism provides grants and other support to independent journalists and news organizations to produce high-quality, unbiased, nonpartisan investigative stories that have an impact. It provides support…
Online application form
Contact for application information
Opportunity type

Grant

Location(s) where available

All locations
United States (all)

Maximum grant amount

$2500

Areas of focus

General Funding

Application deadline:
January 30, 2026