Pacific Journalists to Receive Anti-Corruption Grants
The Journalism for Anti-Corruption and Transparency project will award six grants of USD$2,500 to Pacific Island reporters.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand
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Starting 19 October 2026, the Journalism for Anti-Corruption and Transparency project is accepting applications for six individual media grants. Journalists from 14 Pacific Island countries are eligible to receive USD$2,500 to support reporting on governance and accountability.
Why it matters
This initiative aims to bolster public-interest journalism across the Pacific by funding deeper investigations into corruption and transparency. By prioritizing gender diversity and regional representation, the program seeks to improve community access to information.
The program offers six grants valued at USD$2,500 each, distributed across 14 eligible Pacific Island nations. Funding is structured to ensure at least half of the awards go to women journalists, with two recipients selected from each of three sub-regions.
The players
UNODC
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime works globally to promote justice and counter international crime.
PACJN
The Pacific Anti-Corruption Journalists Network supports media professionals working to expose corruption in the region.
PINA
The Pacific Islands News Association represents media organizations and professionals across the Pacific region.
The details
Applicants must submit a detailed project proposal, a budget, and an application form for consideration. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview before the final selection is determined by a panel representing UNODC, PACJN, and PINA.
Timeline
Applications for the grants open on 19 October 2026.
The deadline for submitting applications is 2 November 2026.
Grant award recipients will be notified on 19 November 2026.
The final deadline for story publication is 12 February 2027.
Travel Outlook
The Journalism for Anti-Corruption and Transparency project initiative marks an expansion of regional efforts to monitor government accountability. This grant cycle represents the latest funding round administered by the project to foster investigative reporting in the Pacific.
Journalists interested in applying should ensure their project proposals clearly address corruption or governance and are submitted via the official portal by the November deadline. Successful candidates must prepare to meet the strict 12 February 2027 publication requirement for their stories.
The takeaway
This grant initiative provides a financial foundation for reporters to pursue investigative work that might otherwise be underfunded. Journalists should prioritize proposals that demonstrate a clear impact on local accountability and transparency.
What happens next
Prospective applicants must submit their proposals by the 2 November 2026 deadline to be considered by the selection panel.
Further reading
Find more regional reports on our Australia and New Zealand section.
More information
Access the grant application submission form to begin your submission.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pacific Islands News Association.
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