The JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, a global programme led by the London School of Economics (LSE) in partnership with the Google News Initiative, is inviting applications from small- and medium-sized news publishers.
The challenge supports media organisations exploring how artificial intelligence can strengthen their operations and business sustainability.
Focus
This year’s challenge prioritises projects that use AI to deepen audience understanding, support new revenue models and enhance long-term organisational resilience.
Unlike storytelling or reporting grants, this initiative funds strategic applications of AI to solve business and audience-related challenges within news organisations.
Funding details
Twelve news organisations will receive support to develop and test their AI-driven ideas over nine months.
Eight selected projects will each receive US$50,000, while four will receive US$100,000. All grantees will also gain access to expert mentorship, peer-learning sessions and a global network of innovators committed to advancing journalism through technology.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants are small or medium-sized news publishers with 10–200 staff members who are already experimenting with AI tools or techniques.
Additional requirements include:
● A verifiable digital presence, including an active journalism-focused website
● At least 12 months of continuous publishing before applying
● Capacity to complete the project within the nine-month grant period
● Independence from government or political ownership
Organisations that participated in the first JournalismAI Innovation Challenge are not eligible to reapply.
Programme expectations
Selected newsrooms will design, test and measure the impact of their AI projects while sharing insights with the wider cohort. Participants are expected to commit to transparent reporting, collaboration and submission of a final impact report.
The programme’s shared-learning model is designed to deepen industry-wide understanding of AI’s potential in journalism.
Deadline
Applications are due on December 3, 2025. Visit the JournalismAI website to apply.
Explore our Opportunities page for global grants relating to AI or journalism.
Summary not available at this time.
