Research – Studies & Sandboxes (European Media and Information Fund)

Research – Studies & Sandboxes (European Media and Information Fund) is sponsored by European Media and Information Fund. This funding window supports large and deep scientific studies requiring close collaboration between different disciplines and entities, including academic researchers, technology providers, media and civil society organizations.

EMIF at a Glance - European Media and Information Fund The European Media and Information Fund pursues objectives of public interest and provides grants, on a competitive basis, to researchers, fact-checkers, not-for-profits and other public interest-oriented organisations working on disinformation research and strengthening media literacy and fact-checking.

The Fund supports collaborative efforts to debunk disinformation, amplify independent fact-checking and enable targeted research and innovation tools designed to strengthen resilience, and the ecosystems response to disinformation. Funding will be made available to organisations based in European countries, including namely the EU, EFTA and UK, and whose focus of activities is on the mentioned countries.

The European Media and Information Fund is established by the European University Institute and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation .

Projects supported by the Fund will focus on four areas of intervention: Actions in Support of Fact-Checking Multidisciplinary Investigations into Disinformation Research – Studies & Sandboxes Actions in Support of Media Literacy The multi-donor Fund has an initial duration of five years (2021-26), which may be extended.

The multi-donor European Media and Information Fund welcomes contributions from donors believing in its mission and subscribing to the principles of scientific autonomy and freedom. The Fund welcomes Google’s inaugural contribution of 25 million euros over 5 years. Google is not involved in decision making and does not profit from intellectual property of any ideas or projects that are financed through the Fund.

All grants provided by this Fund will be awarded through a competitive process, ensuring transparency and equal opportunities and access for all. Calls to apply for funding for research, media-literacy, multidisciplinary investigations on disinformation and fact-checking proposals will be opened on this website and duly advertised.

The European Digital Media Observatory will act in a scientific advisory role to the European Media and Information Fund. The Fund is managed by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, which ensures its day-to-day management and executes the decisions taken by the EMIF Management Committee. The Management Committee is the Fund’s decision-making body.

It is chaired by a Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation representative and validates all necessary measures to guide the Fund’s activities. It sets the Fund’s methods of action, designates beneficiaries and determines potential partners. A Steering Committee, chaired by a European University Institute representative, provides general guidance and oversight to the Management Committee.