Call for Applications: Grant for Participation in Dataharvest 2026
Are you a journalist interested in participating in Dataharvest – the European Conference on Investigative Journalism in May 2026? Would you like to take advantage of advanced training, networking opportunities, and establish contacts with editorial teams across Europe? BIRN, in partnership with the conference organizers, the Arena for Journalism in Europe, and with the support of the ERSTE Foundation, invites interested journalists to apply for a grant that can help make this experience accessible.
Conference Dates: May 28–31, 2026.
Location: Mechelen, Belgium
Eligible Countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
Number of Individual Grants: 22
About the Grant
Journalists are invited to apply for a grant to participate in the Dataharvest 2026 – European Conference on Investigative Journalism, one of the most significant annual events in Europe dedicated to investigative, data, and collaborative journalism. During the conference, participants will attend practical training sessions, workshops, expert sessions, and networking activities aimed at enhancing professional skills and fostering collaboration among journalists from various countries and media organizations.
The grant is intended to support journalists whose participation in international professional events may be limited due to financial or logistical reasons. By facilitating their attendance at Dataharvest, we aim to strengthen professional capacities, encourage international networking, and support cross-border collaboration within the European community of investigative journalists.
Who Can Apply
The call is open to professional journalists, with a particular encouragement for freelancers and journalists working in small or independent media, residing in the following countries:
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.
What the Grant Covers
Each selected journalist will receive a one-time grant of €700, intended to cover:
- travel expenses to and from the conference venue;
- daily expenses (per diem) during the conference.
Additionally, the following will be organized and directly covered by the conference organizers:
- conference registration fee;
- accommodation (three nights: May 28, 29, and 30);
- all necessary practical information for participation in the event.
Please note that the grant covers the registration fee and accommodation during the main conference program (May 29–31, 2026), but not the full-day masterclasses taking place on May 28, 2026. Tickets for the masterclasses must be purchased separately if you wish to attend.
How to Apply
All interested journalists are invited to apply by filling out the online application form.
The deadline for submissions is February 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM (CET). Successful candidates will be notified in mid-February 2026.
Selection Process and Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and evaluated based on the following criteria:
- number of years of relevant professional experience and areas of journalistic work;
- motivation for participation, including clarity and relevance of the candidate's interests in the conference;
- potential contribution of the candidate to the conference program, discussions, and exchange of experiences among participants.
Final decisions will be made jointly by the committee, taking into account the overall quality of applications and ensuring balanced representation of countries of residence among selected participants.
We look forward to your applications!
If you have any questions regarding the grant or the application process, you can contact us via email at: info@dataharvest.eu
Source: BIRN
