The fund provides grants to journalists for investigative stories that break new ground – which means they uncover wrongdoing in the public and private sectors and reveal information that was previously unknown or hidden.

FIJ provides two types of grants:

• Regular grants: They review proposals three to four times a year for grants up to $10,000.
• Seed funding: They provide 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.

All journalists are eligible. Most grants are awarded to freelance journalists.

All applicants must have a “Letter of Commitment” from a news editor who can pledge in writing that the news outlet will publish or air the specific story you propose – as long as it meets the publication’s expectations and standards.

In addition to funding, journalists who receive grants can receive free editorial and legal support.

The Fund’s board of directors, all accomplished journalists, reviews grant proposals and decides which to approve. Applicants will be notified of decisions in mid-June.