Any questions?
You'll find all you need to know right here.
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Do you have any additional tips on how to submit a good application?
Follow the guidelines outlined on the website and the requirements listed in the online application form.
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Can I attach supplemental materials to my application?
All the materials that need submitting are clearly specified in the application form.
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I’m not sure whether my application qualifies for this grant. Can I call you to discuss this?
Please note that applications will not be discussed over the phone. All inquiries should be sent by email to [email protected]
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May I send an application directly by email?
Sorry, no. Only applications received via the online application form will be considered.
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Do I need to submit my application in English?
Yes. We only accept applications submitted in English. However, please note that the applications will not be judged on the quality of the language used and this will not influence the decisions on the awarded projects.
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In which language should my project be completed?
The projects must be completed in one of the official languages of the five eligible countries, i.e. France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
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I have a great story, but it is not specifically related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Can I apply for funding?
Sorry, no. The Longterm Reporting for European Publishers aims to support coverage of selected United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The coverage should tackle issues of overarching SDG-related concern and/or specifics on the respective country’s SDG-related activities and its relations with recipient countries of aid and cooperation.
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Which should be the format of my project?
The project shall take the format of a dedicated microsite or a dedicated website sub-page including in-depth articles, reportages, op-eds, videos, graphics, and multimedia pieces.
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Are innovative and experimental storytelling approaches encouraged?
Yes, expressly.
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Do you fund short-form news?
Sorry, no.
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Can I re-apply for a grant if I was awarded a grant in a previous call for applications?
Yes.
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My project was not accepted in the first call for applications. Can I still apply a second time?
Yes, you can always submit another pitch if you were unsuccessful in a previous round. Please note that you cannot resubmit the same pitch, but need to present a new or an improved proposal. Unfortunately, due to a large number of applications we cannot give detailed feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
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I have already published a great innovative development story. Can I receive a grant?
Sorry, no. This grant does not give awards to already published stories. The grant programme provides funds to enable media organisations to cover development issues and not to receive money for already published work.
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Does the grant fund creation and maintaining of websites that will cover development topics?
While eligible in principle, websites need to fulfill some conditions. One, they must be maintained and updated over time and our programme essentially only funds one-off efforts. However, if someone guarantees that the site’s upkeep will be financed in some other way that should be fine. Two, stand-alone websites that are not tied in with an already functioning, prominent “mother” website (such as a dedicated microsite attached to a newspaper’s portal) will have a hard time reaching a large enough audience at short notice. So in this case it would be really essential that the application comes with a very well thought-through and convincing promotion plan.
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I have invented a technological tool. Can I apply for your grant?
Technological tools will only be funded if their end goal is dissemination of development topics.
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I want to support development work. Can I get funding?
Sorry, no.
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Does this grant fund cultural activities?
Sorry, no.
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How have the eligible countries been selected?
Eligible countries have been selected based on the top Official Development Assistance donor countries in absolute terms. See http://bit.ly/1RmB0Kb for exact numbers. However, all media and journalists can apply if they partner with an eligible media. The grant programme especially encourages cross-country partnerships and cross-platform distribution
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Is this only for work in developing countries, or would innovative work in the EU member states be eligible for grants as well?
It is not compulsory to do a story on location in a developing country. The story can play out entirely in Europe as long as it is clearly development-related and is brought in an innovative way. The main goal of the project is to bolster development awareness in the European target countries and this can be achieved in many ways.
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Will funding be given to the journalist or the media organisation?
Funding will exclusively be given to media organisations.
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Must the grantee commit to free access to their funded project?
Yes. All the information must be freely accessible without any access barriers, eg. paywalls, registration fees, etc.
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How will the grant money be distributed?
The money will be distributed in three instalments. The first one will be paid upon signature of the grant agreement. The second one will be transferred within 30 days after approval of the interim report. The third and final payments will be paid within 30 days after the EJC approves the final report and the financial overview, unless further clarifications are required. The second and final payments are contingent on evidence of the proper implementation of the original proposal.
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Will the grantee be required to provide receipts with the financial report?
No. Nonetheless, the grantee must retain all original documentation in line with the financial accounting and tax laws and regulations in their country.
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What are the responsibilities and expectations of a grantee?
The grantee commits to submit narrative, financial and user metric reports to the EJC both at mid-term and after the end of the project.
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Can I refer to myself as a grantee after I completed the project?
Yes. We encourage our grantees to share their expertise with other fellow grantees beyond the expiry of the grant period.
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How will the decisions be communicated?
All decisions will be communicated by email.
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When will I hear if my project been selected?
Following the application deadline, applicants will be notified of the final decision by email and within the four weeks after the application deadline.
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How can I be sure that my application has been submitted successfully?
All applicants will receive an automated reply from the application system.
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Is there a pre-set timeline to carry out the project?
Yes. All projects need to be completed within the twelve months following the signing of the grant agreement. The reporting period should start no later than two months after the signing of the grant agreement. The time preceding the reporting period should be dedicated to the setup of the microsite/sub-page and should not exceed this two-month period. If your project requires a different timeline, please indicate it in your applications and explain why.
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What do you mean by ‘innovation’ in the context of the grant?
Innovative projects are those that show new ways of involving audiences using new technologies; those that use the right format to engage the right audience; those that manage to build a community, therefore bringing their readers in them, and those which source data and evidence in a new way. The best applications will utilise all of the above to better serve the story and the targeted audience.