Anti-misinformation alliance offers journalists scientific backup and funding

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A new €2.7 million initiative invites European journalists to ditch the traditional "quick quote" approach and develop proper partnerships with researchers.

The European Journalism Centre, in partnership with NOVA University of Lisbon, recently opened a call for proposals under the Journalism Science Alliance (JSA), funded by Creative Europe for investigative projects that bring together media outlets and scientists.

Why now?

Both journalism and science face mounting challenges from populist, anti-knowledge forces. Both fields are also experiencing defunding, attacks, and declining public trust. The JSA's response is to fight back together. 

"Instead of journalists parachuting in for quotes, this model fosters investigative partnerships where scientists and journalists co-develop stories, share insights, and interrogate evidence together," explains the alliance's spokesperson in an email to Journalism.co.uk.

What makes a strong application

Forget superficial collaborations. The JSA wants to see:

• Equal partnership: projects must be co-led by both a media outlet and research institution
• Clear investigative focus: well-defined questions that genuinely benefit from scientific input
• Methodological rigour: whether you're tackling health misinformation, climate stories, or corruption investigations
• Publication commitment: at least one substantial piece of public-facing journalism

Any topic of public interest is fair game, from health and climate to technology and democratic processes. The key isn't the subject matter; it's how scientific methods, data, or perspectives strengthen your journalistic work.

No partner? No problem

Many journalists keen to collaborate lack existing research networks. While the JSA can't play matchmaker, they've included guidance on finding and approaching relevant partners. For local journalists, especially, this represents a chance to build lasting relationships with scientists in your patch.

The programme acknowledges tensions between scientific accuracy and compelling storytelling, and embraces them. Selected teams receive mentoring and workshops to navigate these challenges. Journalists learn to apply elements of the scientific method to investigations, and scientists gain skills in clearly communicating their expertise.

"Truth and clarity must coexist - neither sensationalism nor jargon serve the public interest," the alliance states.

The practicalities

Teams commit to publishing their collaborative work, whether written investigations, podcasts, video series, or multimedia projects. All stories will be showcased on the JSA website, with a summary booklet and documentary planned for the programme's conclusion.

The initiative welcomes both established outlets and independent media, with selection based on impact and public interest rather than institutional weight.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 4 August at 17:00 CEST, with an AMA session scheduled for 7 July. The programme covers all 27 EU member states plus Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Ukraine. UK journalists can participate as team members, provided the lead organisations are based in eligible countries.

This isn't just about funding individual projects. It's about building a new model for evidence-based journalism that could reshape how we tackle misinformation and strengthen democratic discourse.

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