The European Cross-Border Grant 2026 supports collaborative investigative journalism projects that operate across Europe. The grant enables journalists to collaborate on complex public-interest stories that require cooperation, time, and resources. By supporting investigative reporting, the programme strengthens transparency, accountability, and democratic values across the region.
About the European Cross-Border Grant 2026
The European Cross-Border Grant is given by Journalismfund Europe, an organisation dedicated to supporting independent quality journalism. The programme will address the growing challenges facing investigative reporters, particularly when stories span multiple countries.
Cross-border investigations involve travel, data sharing, legal considerations, and coordination between journalists in different regions. This grant helps reduce financial pressure while preserving editorial independence. This allows journalists to focus on producing impactful and credible investigations.
Funding Size
- Typical grant amount: €10,000-€30,000
per project
- Maximum award: €50,000
- Project duration supported: 12 months
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Who Can Apply for the European Cross-Border Grant 2026
Eligible organisation types
- Independent journalists working in cross-border teams
- Media outlets collaborating on investigative projects
- Journalism collectives or networks
- Non-profit journalism organisations
Registration or legal documents
- Proof of professional journalism experience
- Identification documents for all team members
- Organisational registration documents when applying as an entity
- Valid banking details for grant administration
Project focus requirements
- Investigative journalism projects
- Cross-border collaboration involving at least two countries
- Public interest reporting with societal relevance
- Original reporting that has not been previously published
Geographic eligibility
- Journalists based in European countries
- Teams involving participants from at least two European nations
- Non-European journalists partnering with European journalists
- Projects addressing European or cross-border issues
Sector or thematic focus
- Democracy and governance
- Environment and climate
- Corruption and financial crime
- Human rights and social justice
Application Process
- Form a cross-border team with clearly defined roles
- Develop a strong investigative idea with clear public interest value
- Prepare a detailed project proposal and a realistic budget
- Submit the application through the official grant platform
- Undergo editorial and financial assessment
- Receive notification of selection solutions
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Required Materials
- Completed application form
- Detailed project proposal outlining objectives and methodology
- Comprehensive project budget with cost breakdown
- Profiles of all team members highlighting experience
- Relevant work samples demonstrating investigative capacity
- Editorial plan and intended publication strategy
Key Dates
- Application opening date: 15 January 2026
- Application deadline: 20 March 2026
- Funding decision announcement: 30 May 2026
- Project start period: Between 1 June 2026 and 1 August 2026
Selection Notes
- The programme is highly competitive due to strong demand from investigative journalists across Europe.
- Priority is given to projects that show strong cross-border collaboration and clear investigative methods.
- Projects focused on opinion writing and advocacy content are excluded from selection.
Official Source Of the European Cross-Border Grant 2026
Application Page: https://grants.journalismfund.eu/en/register/europeancrossborder
