FIJ Seed Grants 2026 for Journalists with Funding up to USD 2,500

The FIJ Seed Grants provide funding for journalists to conduct early-stage research for potential investigative reporting projects. Grants can be used to obtain documents, conduct interviews, and cover preliminary reporting trips, with amounts ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 USD and the full grant paid in advance upon approval. The aim is to help journalists develop evidence and determine whether there is a substantial story for a broader investigation.

Funding of up to USD 2,500 to conduct preliminary research; payment of the full grant amount in advance; coverage of fees for obtaining public records; coverage of preliminary reporting trips; potential editorial and legal support; eligibility to apply later for a larger grant after completing initial research and securing a publication commitment.

The project must be an investigative journalism effort. Eligible applicants include freelance journalists, journalists not employed in full-time editorial positions, independent investigative documentary filmmakers, investigative podcast producers, journalists working on print, digital, radio, or television investigations, and photojournalists producing investigative work.