Strategy Grants
What we fund
In light of increasing social polarization, the existential crisis facing journalism and the ongoing expansion of so-called news deserts, we are committed to supporting independent journalism outlets that have viable business models, publish outstanding, trustworthy content and can sustainably finance themselves over the long term.
Strong democracies depend on everyone having access to reliable and credible information so they can actively participate in the public debate.
To create a foundation for financial sustainability, we therefore support common-good-oriented media organizations in developing a practical and implementable growth strategy for an existing product, format, distribution channel, or revenue stream. The basis for this consists of surveys and tests in the market to verify corresponding growth hypotheses
For the application process, we invite common-good-oriented media organizations from our applicant pool that fill a gap in reporting and use approaches that differ from existing methods in the DACH region and/or in their respective market. A particular focus is placed on organizations that report for audiences that have so far been underserved by journalism.
We appreciate the effort organizations invest when they decide to apply, and we are aware that this can be a particular challenge for smaller, and younger organizations. We sincerely thank all applicants for their commitment.
Call for applications
The Strategy Grants are by invitation only. The first phase of the Strategy Grants will run from August 24, 2026, to September 4, 2026.
Who we fund
We support common-good-oriented media organizations that want to develop a growth strategy for their business model based on market research and practical tests in the market.
Applications for Strategy Grants are by invitation only from Media Forward Fund. To this end, we directly approach organizations from our existing applicant pool that have already met the basic eligibility requirements (must-haves) through a previous application.
Info events
To present the selection process for the Strategy Grants, we host an online information event. Invitations are sent individually to common-good-oriented media organizations from our existing applicant pool. The info event is expected to take place at the end of August / beginning of September 2026.
How we fund
The project funding for a one-year period is generally up to 200,000 euros, of which 25,000 euros are reserved for coaching support.
The coach will accompany you throughout the entire funding year with regular check-ins to support the implementation of your strategy roadmap. They will advise you on methodological choices, as well as on planning and conducting your research and market tests, support you in evaluating the results, and provide feedback on drafts of your growth strategy, so that by the end of the funding period, you have a practical and implementable outcome.
In addition to our financial support, Media Forward Fund also provides its grantees with complementary forms of assistance through its upskilling program. These include thematic deep dives and learning visits. Specific needs are identified jointly through regular exchange.
Overview eligible costs
Personnel costs Wages that are neither paid out directly nor regularly, such as special payments, benefits in kind, bonuses, and other services as well as severance payments, are not eligible for funding. | Employees (full and part-time) |
| Non-personnel costs | |
Travel and accommodation costs Travel expenses are based on the Federal Travel Expenses Act and the overview of accommodation allowances 2024/2025 abroad of the Federal Ministry of Finance | max. 10% of the requested funding amount
|
| Coaching support | € 25.000,-
|
Cost for services Fees for freelancers, consulting, contractual work Contributions to the Artists' Social Security Fund (Künstlersozialkasse) are not eligible for funding. |
|
| Costs related to own events or meetings (with the exception of service providers, see above) |
|
| Training and further education |
|
| Costs for IT-Hard- and Software |
|
| Contingency category “unforeseen costs” | max. 2 % of the requested funding amount |
A balanced ratio between editorial and commercial costs should be ensured.
Please also note that we are unable to finance costs at non-profit media organizations that are attributable to commercial business operations. Such costs include, for example, expenses for the operation or development of an online shop for the marketing of products or the sale of food or drinks as part of the organization’s own events.
General funding call timeline 2026
| Selection process | Provisional timeframe (changes possible) |
|---|---|
| Pre-selection from the applicant pool | |
| Info event (online) | CW 35 |
| Submission of the preliminary analysis | August 31 to September 11, 2026 |
| Update meetings (if needed) and decision on invitation to submit a full application | |
| Consultation meetings on application design (problem definition, growth hypotheses, refinement of measures, key elements of the strategy roadmap) | September 14 to October 16, 2026 |
| Application preparation (within a maximum of three weeks) | October 19 to November 11, 2026 |
| Due diligence & preparation of pitch deck | November 30 to December 18, 2026 |
| Pitch before the Jury | January 19, 2027 |
| Funding decision | CW 3/2027 |
Frequently asked questions
You can find questions and answers about this funding line on our dedicated FAQ page.
How we choose
Before being admitted to submit a full application, Media Forward Fund conducts a pre-selection of eligible organizations from our existing applicant pool. The evaluation is based not only on previous applications but also on the organization’s current stage of development and the preliminary analysis of growth barriers and potentials, which is submitted via form after the info event. If needed, we may invite you to an update meeting during the pre-selection process.
When assessing your application, three areas are prioritized: your journalistic work, your organization, and the proposed approach for developing your growth strategy. The assessment is guided by the following five overarching selection criteria:
Transformation
- We fund media organizations and projects that serve the common good and can both sustainably strengthen media’s role in society and create transformative benefits for the media sector. In doing so, they rely on approaches that differ from existing methods in the DACH region and/or in their own market.
- We believe that the sustainability of journalism is also dependent on more efficient newsroom workflows, interaction with users, the integration of new approaches and the courage to adopt new business models. It has become clear that clinging to traditional models now carries greater risk than testing new approaches.
We therefore assess, among other things, the transformative potential of the funding for the organization through the successful development of a practical and implementable growth strategy for an existing product, format, distribution channel, or revenue stream. In this context, we evaluate the suitability of the growth hypotheses and measures for market tests and research, and whether the growth strategy is likely to be implemented in the future, thereby contributing to the strengthening of financial sustainability.
User focus
- We fund media organizations and projects that report for (local) communities, enable participation in (political) decision-making and advocate for pluralistic societies and liberal democracies.
- Media organizations that aim to meet the information needs of the general public or a specific user group must be trustworthy.
We therefore assess, among other things, the needs- and user-centered focus of your work as well as established measures for audience engagement.
Diversity
- We are particularly interested in funding media organizations and projects that report for underserved communities to ensure that journalism better serves all groups of society in the future, especially those communities that have thus far been underserved.
This is why we look at whether structural gaps or gaps in regional/local or national/supra-regional reporting are addressed. We assess the accessibility of reporting, especially for underserved communities and the representation of these target groups within the applicant organization itself and/or measures to promote diversity and inclusion within the staff.
Independence
- We fund media organizations and projects to ensure that they are able to report critically and independently even in times of crises – and also independently of our funding. We never interfere in the reporting of the media organizations and projects we fund. Freedom of the press, as one of the cornerstones of liberal democracy, is crucial for our work.
We therefore assess, among other things, the (demonstrably planned) structural and personnel separation between editorial/content and commercial areas, the editorial and financial independence from both individual institutional and private funders as well as from advertising and sponsorship, and a growth-oriented mindset based on strategic thinking and a mix of revenue and funding sources.
Quality
- We fund media organizations that embody democratic values and align their work with recognized journalistic and editorial standards. At the heart of quality journalism are independence, diligence, traceability, truthfulness, objectivity, and transparency.
This is why we look at the organization’s commitment to the principles of the press codex in its country of registration, established editorial standards consistent with democratic values and institutionalized mechanisms to monitor them, the transparent labeling of foreign, commercial, and sponsored opinion contributions, the presence of professional and journalistic competence, and the disclosure of financial sources.
Selection process
1. Initiation
We invite common-good-oriented media organizations to our info event if they have already met the basic eligibility requirements (must-haves) through a previous application.
Invited organizations that are interested in entering the Strategy Grants application process can submit a preliminary analysis of their growth barriers and potentials for an existing product, format, distribution channel, or revenue stream via a form within two weeks after the info event.
Initial analysis preview (in German)
2. Pre-selection and update meetings (if needed)
Based on specific criteria, we conduct a pre-selection of organizations interested in applying. If needed, we may invite you to an update meeting to learn more about the current status of your organization and to ask questions about your preliminary analysis.
3. Consultation meeting and preparation of funding application
If you have convinced us during the pre-selection process, you will receive an invitation to prepare a full application.
Before you start the application, we offer the option of a consultation meeting.
The goal of this meeting is to jointly define an overarching problem statement based on your preliminary analysis, discuss potential growth hypotheses and market tests/research, and establish the key elements of your strategy roadmap.
You will then have a total of three weeks to prepare your funding application and the accompanying documents.
Application form preview (in German)
The following documents must be attached along with your application:
- Strategy roadmap with milestones that contribute to the development of the growth strategy
- Cost and financing plan
- Annual financial statement or preliminary financial statement of preceding fiscal year
- Extract from the association or commercial register (incl. shareholder list)
- Only for non-profit organizations based in Austria or Switzerland: Completed and signed form confirming non-profit status, including the required supporting documents
- Only for charitable organizations based in Germany: Proof of charitable status - depending on legal form and date of establishment, this may be either the annex to the corporate tax notice, the exemption notice, or the notice confirming compliance with the statutory requirements pursuant to § 60a (1) (if the organization has not yet received an exemption notice or annex to the tax notice).
- Latest annual report relevant to the grant project (optional)
- Editorial code of conduct (optional)
- Strategic or business plan (optional)
- Evaluation report(s) (optional)
Strategy roadmap preview (in German)
Cost and financing planning preview (in German)
4. Due diligence & pitch deck
After a comprehensive review of all applications, we will continue the due diligence process with the most promising candidates. We also provide support in the form of feedback on pitch deck design and on possible improvements that could be made to your application, while we deepen the due diligence process for your organization.
5. Pitch to the Jury
The last step will be the presentation of your project, on the basis of the pitch deck, to our jury in the form of an in-person pitch (in the DACH-region) lasting 30 to 40 minutes. We will cover the travel costs for up to two people from each organization.
Afterwards, you will be notified of the jury's decision.
Should you not be chosen for funding, you will have the opportunity to receive detailed feedback.
6. Kick-off and fine-tuning
After you have received a funding approval, we will prepare the funding agreement and send you the draft.
In parallel, we will schedule your kick-off meeting with the coach. Following this, you will work together with the coach to refine your strategy roadmap and growth hypotheses as the starting point for the successful development of your growth strategy, including the associated market tests and research.
Application guidelines
In our application guideline, you will find a summary of the key information on the preliminary analysis, the application, the due diligence process, and the pitch before the jury.
Contact & feedback
We are a relatively new organization and are eager to learn from our applicants and grantees. Should you have any feedback pertaining to our website, our application and selection process or the collaboration process, you are welcome to leave an anonymous message here or write to us at funding@mediaforwardfund.org.