Independent Journalism Consortium in Europe

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) has issued a solicitation for the Independent Journalism Consortium in Europe. This program seeks to support fact-based independent journalism that focuses on public policy issues related to sovereignty, civilizational values, and democracy within Europe. The total available funding for this opportunity is approximately $1,000,000, pending the availability of funds. Interested applicants must submit their proposals electronically through MyGrants or Grants.gov by the deadline of September 1, 2026. All applicants, including those based outside the United States, are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov to be eligible for consideration. The proposal submission process requires a comprehensive package including the SF-424 series of forms, a one-page executive summary, a fifteen-page proposal narrative, and a detailed project timeline. Applicants must also provide a two-component Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan consisting of a narrative and a tracker, as well as documentation for key personnel, such as a Project Director, who must be approved by the DRL within 30 days of the award. Financial compliance is strictly enforced, requiring adherence to OMB cost categories, the Fly America Act for travel, and specific Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) calculations. Additionally, recipients must comply with federal branding guidelines, anti-discrimination laws, and rigorous Trafficking in Persons compliance protocols, including annual re-certification.