The European Cross-border Grants programme is a flagship funding opportunity designed to strengthen independent investigative journalism across Europe. The European Cross-border Grants are offered by Journalismfund Europe to support professional journalists and news outlets working collaboratively across national borders on in-depth investigations of strong public interest. By addressing the growing shortage of independent journalism and encouraging cross-border collaboration, the European Cross-border Grants play a critical role in ensuring that European audiences continue to receive high-quality, impactful investigative reporting.
Introduction and Background: European Cross-border Grants
The European Cross-border Grants programme has been running since 2009 and is one of the most established and respected investigative journalism funding schemes in Europe. Managed by Journalismfund Europe, this award-winning grant programme supports cross-border teams of journalists and media outlets that propose original, innovative, and high-impact investigative projects relevant to European audiences.
The core purpose of the European Cross-border Grants is to encourage collaboration between journalists in at least two European countries, ensuring that investigations reflect shared European challenges, cross-border systems, and transnational issues. The programme recognizes that many of today’s most pressing issues—such as corruption, environmental harm, human rights abuses, financial crimes, and governance failures—do not stop at national borders.
In addition to financial support, the European Cross-border Grants programme has introduced an innovative component known as expert-reviewed journalism, which allows selected teams to work closely with subject-matter experts to strengthen the depth, accuracy, and credibility of their investigations.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply for European Cross-border Grants
The European Cross-border Grants are open to a specific group of applicants and teams. Applicants must carefully review the eligibility requirements before applying.
Eligible Applicants
- Independent journalists
- Professional journalists
- Independent news outlets
- Media organizations
Team Composition
- Applications must be submitted by cross-border teams consisting of at least two professional journalists and/or news outlets.
- Team members must be based in at least two different European countries.
- At least 80% of the requested grant budget must go to journalists or media organizations based in European Union (EU) countries.
- When relevant to the investigation, team members from outside Europe may be included.
Geographic Scope
- The investigation must focus on at least two European countries.
- The resulting stories must be relevant to European audiences.
Project Requirements
- Projects must demonstrate substantive news value, investigative depth, originality, and innovation.
- All themes are eligible, provided the proposal clearly outlines a collaborative cross-border investigation.
- Projects may include:
- Cross-border research
- Investigative networking
- Established and innovative investigative methods
Incomplete applications or applications missing required documents will be considered ineligible.
Program Details: European Cross-border Grants
Funding Amount
- Total programme budget: €1,120,000
- Funding is distributed over six application rounds
- Each call distributes up to €280,000
What the Grant Covers
The European Cross-border Grants support costs directly related to journalistic research, including:
- Travel expenses
- Translation services
- Access to paywalled databases
- Time required to pursue investigative research
What the Grant Does NOT Cover
- Fixed office costs
- Equipment purchases (e.g., cameras, computers)
- Production or publication costs
Expert-Reviewed Journalism Component
A distinctive feature of the European Cross-border Grants programme is its expert-reviewed journalism approach. This allows funded teams to:
- Work with Project Advisors, selected from a pool compiled by project partner SSE Riga
- Collaborate with subject-matter experts relevant to their investigation
- Receive guidance that improves investigative accuracy, methodology, and overall impact
This approach ensures that investigations are not only journalistically strong but also methodologically rigorous.
How to Apply: Application Process for European Cross-border Grants
Applications for the European Cross-border Grants must be submitted through Journalismfund Europe’s application portal.
Application Steps
- Carefully read:
- Expert-reviewed European Cross-border Grants rules and eligibility criteria
- Journalismfund Europe’s General Grant Rules
- Prepare a detailed project proposal outlining:
- The cross-border nature of the investigation
- Countries involved
- Investigative methods
- News value and relevance
- Provide a detailed budget, ensuring compliance with funding rules
- Submit all required documents before the deadline
Applicants may also:
- Schedule a pre-application video call with a project coordinator
- Seek clarification via phone or email if needed
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Next Application Deadline
- 19 March 2026 at 13:00 CET
2026 Application Rounds
- 19 March 2026 – 1:00 pm CET
- 21 May 2026 – 1:00 pm CET
- 30 July 2026 – 1:00 pm CET
- 1 October 2026 – 1:00 pm CET
2027 Application Rounds
- 7 January 2027 – 1:00 pm CET
- 11 March 2027 – 1:00 pm CET
Funding is competitive, and early preparation is strongly recommended.
Why European Cross-border Grants Matter
The European Cross-border Grants programme goes beyond traditional funding by combining financial support with expert guidance. This structure helps journalists:
- Access specialized expertise
- Improve investigative quality and accuracy
- Increase the impact and credibility of cross-border journalism
Since 2019 alone, the programme has supported over 700 cross-border investigations, highlighting its significance within the European media landscape.
European Cross-border Grants for Investigative Journalism
The European Cross-border Grants offered by Journalismfund Europe represent a vital opportunity for journalists committed to high-impact, cross-border investigative reporting in Europe. By supporting collaboration, innovation, and expert-reviewed journalism, the programme strengthens independent media and contributes to informed democratic societies across the continent. Journalists and news outlets with strong investigative ideas are encouraged to apply and be part of this influential journalism funding initiative.
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