FAQ

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Who is eligible to apply for the Incubator? 

The program is open to professional journalists, either individuals or teams, who are actively working in the local press in Greece. Priority will be given to teams of journalists from different local media outlets and different regions of the country.

Details: 

• Individual professional journalists (employed, freelance or unemployed) who are based outside of Αthens and are currently collaborating with the local or regional press.

• Teams of professional journalists based in the same or in different cities or regions, collaborating with different local media outlets either as staff or freelancers. Applications are also welcome from unemployed journalists, provided they possess relevant professional experience.

• Applicants must provide work samples that demonstrate their involvement in the local press. The application is not open to students or individuals without proven experience in the media.

• In team applications, each member is required to submit their own individual individual work samples that demonstrate their involvement in local media.

• Individual applicants must include one letter of intent for publication from a local media outlet.

• Team applications must include two letters of intent for publication from local media outlets.

In the case of a team, how is the application submitted?

The application is submitted by one member on behalf of the team. When completing the form, the details of all team members must be entered separately, as indicated in the relevant fields. In this way, the application records the team as a whole, even though it is submitted by a single representative.

What types of projects can be supported? 

Proposals for participation should fall into one of the following types of journalism: 

• Print or online journalistic text (longform, series of articles, etc.)

• Photo reportage

• Audio reportage/podcast
  
• Short journalistic video (up to 10 minutes long)

Tips 

• Provide as much information as possible about your project’s pre-research stage.  

• Describe your report idea in detail. 

• If your topic has been previously covered, explain how your work will add value and highlight its originality and innovation.  

• Fill out the timeline and budget with as many details as possible.  

What are the criteria for evaluating a project? 

Each project is evaluated based on: 

• The originality of the subject of the applicants

• The added value of the proposal compared to the main coverage of the topic/issue 

• The thoroughness of research methods, including presentation/narration 

• The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed budget and timeline.  

What kind of work samples are required? 

Any published work samples that best support your application and help the committee gain a comprehensive understanding of your professional experience (e.g., photos, videos, articles, reports). All samples must have been published in Greek local media outlets. For large files (such as video or audio), applicants may use platforms like YouTube or Vimeo and share the corresponding links; all links must be publicly accessible. Applicants who are currently unemployed or working as freelancers may submit any previously published work in Greek local media.

In case of a team application, do all team members need to submit work samples? 

Yes. All members of a team application are required to submit their own samples of published work. These samples strengthen the application and, in the case of freelancers, help demonstrate each member’s active professional engagement in the local or regional media landscape.

What does the Incubator offer? 

• Coverage of research costs (travel, accommodation, food, etc.)

• Production support through iMEdD’s network of collaborators (photographers, sound engineers, videographers, editors, graphic artists, subtitlers) based on the needs outlined in the application

• Collaboration opportunities with the iMEdD Data Unit for data gathering, analysis, and visualization, if required for the project

• Mentoring from iMEdD’s international network of collaborators 

What expenses are not covered? 

• No participant fees or fixed costs (e.g., equipment purchases) are covered.

• Expenses not directly related to project implementation or focused on promotion and communication are excluded.  

• Production needs are covered by iMEdD’s network of collaborators. The iMEdD team will work with participants to identify and select suitable professionals for the project.  

What is the duration of the program? 

Projects must be completed within three (3) months from the official selection and according to the submitted timeline. During implementation, the iMEdD project manager will set specific progress evaluation points at which participants must report on the project’s status to ensure its continuation.  

I submitted an application last year. Can I apply again?

Yes, you may submit another application, including the same idea you submitted in the past, provided it was not selected.

When will an application be rejected as invalid?

• If not all required fields of the application form have been completed.

• If the information provided is incomplete or inaccurate.

• If It is submitted by journalists or teams of journalists who are based in Athens.

• If it is submitted by journalists working for national-level media outlets. Applications are accepted from journalists working for local or regional branches of national networks (e.g. ERT Regional), provided that their professional base is outside Athens and their reporting focuses exclusively on regional or local news.

Can I edit my application after submission?

No, once an application has been submitted, it cannot be edited. However, you may save your application and return to complete it at a later stage, provided you submit it before the application deadline.

What is the application deadline? 

The application platform will be open from Monday 9 February, to Sunday March 8, 2026 (11:59 PM EET).  

Can I submit more than one application? 

Yes, individuals and teams may submit multiple applications, provided that each application focuses on a different subject. Οnly one application per individual or team can be implemented in a single cycle. If the selection committee approves more than one proposal from the same individual or team, the applicant(s) must choose which project will participate in the program.

Is the program open to international applicants?

Yes, provided they are based in Greece (outside Athens) and are actively working in Greek local media. All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.

Can I submit a new project proposal if I’ve received support for a previous one? 

Yes, there are no restrictions on participation in any of iMEdD’s programs.  

Who evaluates the applications and selects participants? 

Applications will be evaluated by an independent committee based on the above criteria after an initial review by the iMEdD team to ensure completeness. Applicants may be asked to provide clarifications or additional materials. The committee’s members will be disclosed only after the evaluation process concludes, along with the announcement of results.  

Why is a Letter of Intent for publication requested?

The letter is requested to indicate an initial intention for the project to be published in a local media outlet after the completion of the programme, helping to enhance the visibility and dissemination of its results. At the same time, it aims to foster collaborations and strengthen the visibility of related initiatives already from the stage prior to the start of the project.

Publication is not binding; the letter serves as a supportive indication of intent and collaboration, confirming non-binding interest in publishing the idea, project, or report.

Does the project need to be published within the three-month implementation period?

No, while projects must be completed within the three-month implementation period, publication may take place at a later stage, according to the agreement with the media outlet(s).

What rights does iMEdD have over the finished project? 

iMEdD does not acquire any intellectual property rights over the produced work. The result belongs exclusively to the participants.  

Additionally, the project managers and collaborators overseeing the support process have no editorial control over the reports. They may offer advice only if requested by participants. Editorial responsibility lies solely with the participants and the media outlets publishing the work.  

Who is responsible for research methods and the final output? 

iMEdD bears no responsibility whatsoever for both the research methods and the final result. The responsibility lies solely with the participants and the media in which their work will be published. iMEdD takes the observance of the rules of journalistic ethics as a given and as a prerequisite for participation. It reserves the right to ask for explanations and to withdraw its support at any stage of the implementation if sufficient convincing explanations are not provided. 

What are the participants’ obligations toward iMEdD? 

The participants’ only obligation is to acknowledge iMEdD’s support of the project at the time of its publication in the manner specified in the relevant support agreement, which will include the general and specific terms of cooperation. 

When will I be notified of the results? 

All applicants will be informed of the results via email as soon as the evaluation process is complete.  

What should I do if I have more questions? 

Send an email to [email protected] with the subject: Incubator 2026.