Seed Grants

The Fund for Investigative Journalism is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting in depth investigative reporting that exposes wrongdoing in both the public and private sectors. The organization provides financial assistance directly to journalists and media outlets to enable rigorous reporting that might otherwise lack funding. Its seed grant program is specifically designed to support the earliest stages of investigative work, allowing reporters to explore and validate story ideas before securing full publication commitments or pursuing larger grants. The purpose of the seed grant is to fund initial reporting and research that helps define and develop investigative story concepts. These grants are intended to enable journalists to gather preliminary evidence, test hypotheses, and build a foundation for more comprehensive investigations. The program prioritizes projects that have the potential to uncover significant issues such as corruption, abuse of power, or systemic failures, even at an early exploratory stage. Funding through the seed grant program is capped at 2500 dollars per award and is provided to cover a range of reporting related expenses. Allowable uses include open records request fees, travel necessary for reporting, research activities, and compensation for the journalist's time. These funds are distributed in full at the outset of the grant period, reflecting the program's emphasis on enabling immediate investigative work without delay. There are no matching fund requirements associated with this grant. Eligibility is primarily targeted toward freelance journalists, although the structure of the grant suggests that individuals are the primary applicants rather than institutions. Unlike the organization’s regular grants, seed grant applicants are not required to have a confirmed publication commitment at the time of application. This distinction makes the program accessible to journalists who are still in the early stages of developing their investigative ideas and have not yet secured a media partner. The application process for seed grants is streamlined compared to larger funding opportunities. Applicants are required to submit a concise narrative describing the investigative idea and outlining how the requested funds will be used. This includes a basic explanation of the story concept and a budget for anticipated expenses. Application materials, instructions, and frequently asked questions are made available through the organization’s website, and applicants may also access free coaching to strengthen their proposals. Applications for the current cycle of seed grants are due on September 20 at 1159 pm Eastern Time. The program operates on a recurring basis with multiple cycles per year, as evidenced by earlier deadlines such as January 31 and May 9. Following submission, proposals are reviewed by the Fund’s Board of Directors, which is composed of experienced journalists. Applicants are typically notified of funding decisions in mid November, and funded projects can begin work immediately upon receipt of funds.

Justify early costs clearly and explain your belief in the story’s potential.