The Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR) is offering investigative journalists the opportunity to apply for a grant that intends to help further their research on a particular investigative story of their choice. Two grants of up to Eur 3,000 each and eight smaller grants with a value of Eur 500 each, are funded by Freevoice, and are intended to be used by a journalist for an investigative story that would not otherwise be published.

Applications will be judged on the following nine criteria:

1. The proposed subject must be an investigation of a societal ill relevant to Africa. Though it can be an investigation into an issue in one locality, subjects that are only relevant to one locality, or only to a very specialised audience, are excluded. It has to be an issue that is clearly in the public interest in one or more countries.
2. The proposed investigation must envisage the use of investigative methodologies, such as source building and data (physical or web-based) searching.
3. The proposed investigation must be the applicants own initiative and the reason why the applicant chose the subject must be clearly outlined.
4. The proposed investigation must be viable and realistic.
5. The envisaged end result must be newsworthy.
6. The applicant must show investigative credibility, by experience and/or by reference.
7. The applicant must show that without financial support the investigation would not take place.
8. The applicant must show that an editor or publishing house will be interested in publishing the envisaged end product.
9. The applicant must show that the proposed investigation is time consuming to the extent that he/she could not do this without support.

Click here for more information.

Applications are open to all investigative journalists based, working, and operating in Africa. Applications must be accompanied by a 1 page summary in either English, French, or Portuguese. The summary is of extreme importance since the initial shortlist of 20 applications will be compiled on their basis and only the applications that make the shortlist will be considered in full.  

The application must contain the following:

•  Subject;
• Envisaged methodology (source-building, data to access, testing of obtained info in order to reach conclusion)
• Reason why this subject was chosen;
• Media house that has undertaken to publish (the acceptance letter from the editor is to be attached);
• A paragraph about earlier publications by the journalist; and
• Budget (expenses only).

If an investigation topic is of such a sensitive nature that the applicant does not want the topic to be known to others, he/she should state this in the application. In this event, the applicant and the advisory council will come to an agreement on a suitably neutral/general description of the nature of the investigation, which description will be used when the award is announced.

The applications must be sent by email or fax - preferably along with a hard copy, to the contact details below.

Email from Sindisiwe Kubeka to The Communication Initiative on March 16 2009, and FAIR website accessed on March 17 2009.