JournalismAI Innovation Challenge

• Eligibility Criteria;Small and medium-sized news publishers (10–200 personnel) already exploring AI technologies. A verifiable digital presence (e.g., a website with journalistic content). At least 12 months of continuous operation with recent content prior to the application date.The ability to launch, implement, and measure the project’s impact within nine (9) months. Applicants may submit a new idea or build on an existing proof-of-concept to develop a working prototype.
• Type of Funding: Grant
• Target Region: Small and medium-sized publishers worldwide (eligible geographies open globally unless specified by the organising team).
• Application Language: English

Objectives

• Foster AI literacy, experimentation, and implementation within newsrooms.
• Enable publishers to use AI to enhance audience intelligence and revenue growth.
• Understanding and influencing user behaviour
• Improving engagement and retention
• Strengthening financial sustainability
• Encourage open knowledge-sharing and best-practice exchange across the news industry.
• Support a cohort of publishers to develop, test, and implement working AI prototypes within nine months.

Project Themes

• Real-time behavioural insights
• Dynamic paywalls
• Churn prediction and prevention
• Personalized products and recommendations
• Premium data-insight services
• Structured content and data packages generated using AI
• Creating AI-powered tools and systems that help publishers better understand their audiences and diversify revenue streams.
• At the end of the programme, grantees will share project outcomes and best practices with the broader industry.

Financial Support:
8 projects will receive USD 50,000 each
4 projects will receive USD 100,000 each
Applicants indicate their preferred funding amount in the application form.

Application Deadline: 03 December 2025

See here to learn more and apply

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