The Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) will receive $1 million in funding from YouTube as part of the Google News Initiative (GNI) to support the fact-checking community in its battle against misinformation.
Through this funding, the IFCN will launch the Fact-Checking Development Grant to support ideas not only related to video production but also focused on improving fact-checkers’ reach, impact, and institutional capacity. Projects related to new tools and sustainability will be welcomed, too.
Fact-checking organizations from all over the world can apply for up to $50,000 from the Fact-Checking Development Grant. This program is available to all fact-checking organizations, not just IFCN verified signatories. The goal is to encourage creativity and to provide financial support to the fact-checking community.
“International Fact-Checking Network is committed to raising resources for fact-checkers and to support the community’s work. We look forward to receiving applications across the spectrum focusing on developing new tools and formats to increase the impact of fact-checking. The applications will be evaluated by an independent selection committee, and the IFCN will serve the community in its utmost capacity when the applications are open on May 20” said Baybars Orsek, director of the IFCN.
In the coming days, the IFCN will build an independent selection committee to evaluate all applications. The IFCN will rely on experts and practitioners to analyze and grade each application. Grants are expected to be awarded to recipients in August 2020.
Extended information about eligibility and selection criteria will be released on May 20, when the IFCN will open the application process. You can reach out to factchecknet@poynter.org should you have any questions.
