Dataharvest 2026 Grant – Funding to Attend Europe’s Investigative Journalism Conference

Brief Information

The Dataharvest 2026 Grant is a funded opportunity for journalists from selected European countries to attend Dataharvest – The European Investigative Journalism Conference in May 2026. The grant supports participation in one of Europe’s most important annual gatherings for investigative, data, and collaborative journalism. Selected journalists will receive financial support, accommodation, and full conference access.

Key Dates & Details

• Application Deadline: 2 February 2026, 17:00 CET
• Conference Dates: 28–31 May 2026
• Location: Mechelen, Belgium
• Grant Amount: €700 (lump sum)
• Number of Grants: 22 individual grants
• Target Group: Professional journalists (especially freelancers & small media outlets)
• Eligible Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia
• Organisers: BIRN, Arena for Journalism in Europe
• Supporter: ERSTE Foundation

Overview

The Dataharvest 2026 Grant enables journalists to take part in Dataharvest – The European Investigative Journalism Conference, one of the continent’s most respected platforms for investigative, data-driven, and cross-border journalism.

Held annually, Dataharvest brings together journalists, editors, media trainers, technologists, and newsroom leaders from across Europe. The 2026 edition will feature:

• Hands-on workshops and advanced training
• Expert-led sessions on investigative and data journalism
• Networking with editorial teams and media organisations
• Opportunities for cross-border collaboration

The Dataharvest 2026 Grant is specifically designed to support journalists whose participation in international professional events may be limited by financial or logistical constraints, ensuring more inclusive access to high-level journalism training and networks.

Eligibility

Applicants for the Dataharvest 2026 Grant must meet the following criteria:

Who Can Apply

• Professional journalists
• Freelance journalists
• Journalists working in small or independent media outlets

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be based in one of the following countries:

• Albania
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Greece
• Hungary
• Kosovo
• North Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Poland
• Romania
• Serbia
• Slovakia

Journalists from outside these countries are not eligible for this grant.

Application Details

To apply for the Dataharvest 2026 Grant, applicants must complete the online application form.

What the Grant Covers

Each selected journalist will receive:

• €700 lump-sum grant to cover:
  • Travel to and from Mechelen, Belgium
  • Daily expenses (per diem) during the conference

Additionally, the following costs are covered directly by the organisers:

• Conference registration
• Accommodation for three nights (28, 29, and 30 May 2026)

⚠️ Important Note:
The grant covers participation in the main conference programme (29–31 May 2026) only.
Full-day masterclasses on 28 May 2026 are not included and require a separate ticket purchase.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant professional experience
• Motivation and clarity of interest in the conference
• Potential contribution to discussions and peer exchange

Final selections will ensure both high-quality applications and balanced country representation.

Successful applicants will be notified mid-February 2026.

For best practices in investigative journalism and cross-border reporting, applicants may also explore resources from the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom.

FAQ

Official Link

👉 Official Call for Applications:
https://birn.eu.com/news-and-events/call-for-applications-grant-to-attend-dataharvest-2026/

📝 Apply Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1gGrMMF-O7y5bBYTK4ga3N4nKaRd3LF3bKh38X6iDpV0/viewform

📧 Contact for Questions: [email protected]

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