Sustaining Investigative Journalism: The Intersection of Fellowships, Grants and Strategic Communication

Abstract

Investigative journalism is vital for democratic societies but requires significant resources, posing financial challenges for journalists and media organizations. Although fellowships and grants exist to support investigative reporting, journalists often struggle to access these funds due to strict eligibility criteria, complicated application processes, and limited awareness of opportunities. Additionally, there is a gap in understanding the qualitative experiences of journalists who apply for these grants, including their challenges and feedback, which provides valuable insights for improving funding programs and ensuring that investigative journalism can be sustained through effective strategic communication and resource allocation. Against this backdrop, this study explores various fellowships and grants available to investigative journalists, highlighting their objectives, eligibility criteria, application processes, and impact on fostering rigorous, independent journalism. The study examines notable programs such as the Fellowship for Investigative Journalism in East Africa, Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Grants, African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) Fellowship, African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME) Journalism Fellowships, and Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) Fellowships. By presenting a comprehensive review of literature and case studies focusing on grants and fellowships, this study aims to inform journalists, recipients, and investigative funders about opportunities for financial support encouraging the pursuit of investigative stories.