Application for a working grant

  • Both beginning (starters) and experienced journalist (seniors) can submit a project that cannot be realised through the normal channels of journalism, that has major news value and depth and that is also original, innovative and time-consuming.
  • The applicant must be a journalist (written or audio-visual press), or be able to prove that he/she is aspiring to a career in journalism. Personal references and/or references to earlier work are essential in that respect.
  • Only natural persons can apply for a Working Grant.
  • Projects with regard to investigative and special journalism must deal with topics that are relevant for Flanders. (Project need to be publish in Flemish media.)
  • The Pascal Decroos Fund gives four types of Working Grants
    - INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM. A working grant for investigative journalism allows the applicant to concentrate on one particular topic for a longer period of time
    - STARTERS' GRANT. In some cases, beginning journalists can receive a starters' grant.
    - SPECIAL JOURNALISM
    - PRELIMINARY RESEARCH. When it is not clear whether the inquiries will yield the expected results, it is possible to apply for a grant to cover the expenses of the preliminary research.
  • The applicant must be able to demonstrate that his project is realistic and practical. Seniors need to have an agreement/letter of intent of a Flemish medium; for starters this is considered a plus.
  • All journalistic end products qualify for a grant: newspaper and magazine articles, radio and television documentaries and series, photo-reportages and books, podcasts and journalistic non-fiction books.
  • An independent jury will decide on the allocation of the Grants, on the basis of objective criteria.
  • The jury is made up of journalists that have an extensive track record within the profession.
  • The Grants are void of any commercial interest.

 

Budget

The Fund covers two types of costs related to the research of your special journalistic project:

1. Working allowance (fee):

For, among others, freelancers who do not earn any other income through the project for some time or journalists who take unpaid leave for the project for some tim For example, if you work half-time on the project, you can request a maximum of € 500 / month. One week of full-time work : 250 € etc. 

2. Expenses related to research: this must be proven on completion of the project with original documents (invoices, tickets, etc.)

  • transportation costs
  • accommodation costs
  • interpreters and translators
  • FOI requests
  • other costs associated with the research

Costs that do not qualify (not exhaustive)

  • investment goods (computers, cameras, ...)
  • meals / per diems
  • overhead expenses (eg office rental)
  • production costs (eg post-production, recording, printing costs, ...)

Please be as specific as possible when describing your expenses.

You should clearly indicate which costs should be covered by the Pascal Decroos Fund.