Deadline: October 2, 2026
Applications are open for the CITE Investigative Journalism Grants 2026. CITE invites journalists nationwide to submit investigative story proposals on issues affecting communities across Zimbabwe. Proposals may be submitted by journalists reporting independently or in collaboration with locally based journalists and community reporters.
The initiative supports strong local journalism that goes beyond reporting events to uncover new information, expose wrongdoing, hold institutions and public officials accountable, and help communities better understand how decisions and public resources affect their lives.
Benefits
- Successful proposals will be eligible for a grant of up to US$800, depending on the quality, strength and scope of the proposed investigation. The grant is intended to support the reporting and production of the investigation.
- CITE will publish successful investigations on its website and social media platforms and distribute them through WhatsApp.
- CITE will also make the stories available to local media outlets for wider publication. It will support further distribution and public engagement through its digital platforms, including X Spaces where appropriate.
Eligibility
- They are looking for original, well-researched and evidence-based investigative story ideas that address issues of significant public interest.
- They are particularly interested in investigations examining:
- Corruption and abuse of public resources;
- Failures in public service delivery;
- Accountability in local authorities and government departments;
- Missing, misused or unaccounted-for public funds;
- Irregularities in procurement and tender processes;
- Conflicts of interest and abuse of office;
- Weaknesses in public financial management; and
- Other governance and accountability issues involving the management or use of public resources.
- They welcome investigations rooted in local communities that can reveal information that is not already widely known or available in the public domain.
Application
Your submission should include:
- Story idea: Briefly explain the issue you want to investigate, who or what is involved, why the story matters to the community, and what you expect the investigation could uncover.
- Work samples: Provide links or copies of previously published journalism, preferably investigative or public-interest reporting.
- Editor’s support: Include a letter or email from your editor confirming that your media organisation supports the proposed investigation.
Send your proposal to: [email protected] and [email protected]
For more information, visit CITE Investigative Journalism Grants.
