[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

September 2, 2025

€5,000,000 total for this topic; maximum EU co-funding per third party: €350,000; project duration: 30–36 months

Supports a European network of fact-checkers to expand capacity, cooperation, and infrastructure for combating disinformation across the EU.

At least 60% of project funds must be distributed to third parties (fact-checking organizations) via subgrants.

--- ## Description This grant opportunity under the Digital Europe Programme aims to strengthen the European fact-checking community by supporting activities that expand fact-checking capacity, foster operational cooperation, and enhance technical infrastructure across the EU. The initiative focuses on maintaining and developing the platform for the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), increasing language and regional coverage, and building resilience against disinformation, with a strong emphasis on independence and transparency in line with European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) principles. Activities may also extend to EU candidate and accession countries, particularly those vulnerable to disinformation and external interference. --- ## Due Dates - Full application deadline: **September 2, 2025 (17:00 CEST, Brussels time)** --- ## Funding Amount - **Total budget for this topic:** €5,000,000 - **Project duration:** 30–36 months - **At least 60% of the total project budget must be distributed as subgrants to third-party fact-checking organizations** - **Maximum EU co-funding per third party:** €350,000 (a third party may receive multiple awards, but the total cannot exceed €350,000) - **Funding rate:** 100% for the consortium; third-party recipients must co-finance at least 50% of their activity costs --- ## Eligibility - **Type of applicants:** Legal entities (public or private bodies) - **Consortium requirements:** Minimum of three independent applicants from at least three different eligible countries; coordinator must be based in an EU Member State - **Eligible countries:** EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories), EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme - **Ineligible:** Natural persons (except self-employed/sole traders), most international organizations (unless of European interest), EU bodies (except JRC), and entities subject to EU restrictive or conditionality measures - **Consortium must include at least one independent fact-checking organization certified by EFCSN or IFCN, or able to provide proof of certification** --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08-FACTCHECKERS?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) before the deadline. - **Format:** Application includes Part A (administrative) and Part B (technical description); maximum 70 pages for Part B. - **Required documents:** Application forms, consortium description, budget, and proof of eligibility/certification for fact-checking organizations. - **Evaluation:** Based on relevance, implementation, and impact (minimum thresholds apply; see call document for details). - **Key requirements:** At least 60% of the budget must be allocated to subgrants for third parties; clear description of third-party funding processes and activities is required. --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible activities:** Must align with the call objectives, including expanding fact-checking coverage, building a repository of fact-checks, implementing a protection scheme for fact-checkers, and emergency response capacity. - **Complementarity:** Activities must complement, not duplicate, the work of EDMO and its national/regional hubs. - **Independence and transparency:** All funded activities must adhere to independence and transparency standards set by EFCSN. - **Reporting:** Standard EU reporting and payment arrangements apply, including interim and final reports. - **Ethics and security:** Projects must comply with EU ethical standards and may undergo ethics review; projects involving classified information or AI must meet additional requirements. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08-FACTCHECKERS?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_digital-2025-bestuse-08_en.pdf) - [Standard Application Form Template (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/temp-form/af/af_dep_en.pdf) - [Model Grant Agreement (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/agr-contr/mga_dep_en.pdf) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq) - [EDMO – European Digital Media Observatory](https://edmo.eu/about-us/edmoeu/) - [EFCSN – European Fact-Checking Standards Network](https://efcsn.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General enquiries | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | IT/submission issues | [IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Call-specific Q&A | Use the Q&A section on the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/DIGITAL-2025-BESTUSE-08-FACTCHECKERS?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=13&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) | ---

European Network of Factcheckers

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