The Fund for Investigative Journalism: Comprehensive Support for Impactful Investigative Reporting

The Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) continues to stand as one of the most respected institutions supporting rigorous, high‑impact investigative journalism across the United States and beyond. Through its diverse grant programs, FIJ empowers freelance journalists, newsroom reporters, and media organizations to pursue in‑depth investigations that expose wrongdoing, advance accountability, and strengthen democratic transparency.

Founded on the belief that investigative journalism is essential to public interest reporting, FIJ provides financial support, editorial guidance, and professional resources to help journalists produce stories that are unbiased, nonpartisan, and deeply researched. Whether the work is destined for print, online platforms, broadcast media, books, documentaries, or podcasts, FIJ ensures that journalists have the backing they need to uncover the truth.

Types of Grants Offered by FIJ

FIJ offers several grant categories tailored to different stages and scopes of investigative work. Each category is designed to meet the needs of journalists at various points in their reporting journey.

1. Regular Grants (Up to $10,000)

These grants support full investigative projects across all media formats.

• Reviewed three to four times per year
• Open to freelance journalists, staff reporters, and media outlets
• Next deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026

2. Seed Funding (Up to $2,500)

Seed grants help journalists begin preliminary reporting that may lead to a full investigation. They typically cover:

• Open‑records requests
• Initial reporting trips
• Early‑stage research
• Next deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026

3. Follow‑Up Grants (Up to $2,500)

These grants support timely follow‑up stories to investigations previously funded by FIJ.

• Only available to past FIJ grantees
• Expedited review available for urgent follow‑up reporting

4. Regular Grants for Previous Seed Grantees (Up to $10,000)

Journalists who previously received Seed funding can apply for full project support.

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis
• Decisions issued within 2–4 weeks

5. Alicia Patterson Fellowships

A prestigious fellowship supporting long‑form investigative reporting.

• Fellows spend 6 or 12 months researching and producing stories
• Award amounts:
  • $40,000 for a 12‑month fellowship
  • $20,000 for a 6‑month fellowship
• Stories are published in reputable news outlets
• Awarded annually

Important Application Guidelines

FIJ maintains strict application policies to ensure fairness and quality.

Resubmissions

• FIJ does not accept resubmissions of previously declined proposals unless the applicant is specifically invited to resubmit.

Multiple Proposals

• Applicants may submit only one proposal per grant cycle
• Exceptions are rare and must be requested via email: grants@fij.org

2026 Grant Application Deadlines

Regular & Seed Grants

• Winter: January 30 at 11:59 PM ET
• Spring: April 27 at 11:59 PM ET
• Summer: September 14 at 11:59 PM ET

Additional Information and Resources

FIJ provides extensive guidance to help applicants prepare strong proposals.

Key Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Webinars on writing successful FIJ proposals
• Contact channels for questions and feedback

Areas of Interest

FIJ supports a wide range of investigative topics, including but not limited to:

• Government accountability
• Environmental investigations
• Human rights
• Public corruption
• Social justice
• Corporate misconduct

International Reporting Grants

FIJ also supports international investigations, especially those with global public‑interest impact.

Budget Guidelines

Applicants must submit a clear, realistic budget that reflects the scope of the investigation.

Confidentiality & Liability

FIJ maintains strict confidentiality for all proposals and does not assume liability for reporting outcomes.