About the Journalist Awards

Applications for the 2026 Tenacious Journalist Awards are now closed

These awards aim to support UK journalists and small news organisations to have a positive social impact.

Ten winners will receive a grant of £10,000. Additionally, awardees will get eight months of coaching and mentoring to boost their journalism's impact, and results will be showcased at the 2026 Local News Forum. 

We want our funding to be used to bring to light important stories which would otherwise not be reported and hope to trigger journalism which has the widest and deepest impact.

This year, we particularly (but not exclusively) welcomed applications addressing the following issue areas:

  • Corporate accountability

  • Artificial intelligence

  • Online harms

  • Preventable deaths and systemic failings

Why independent news matters

PINF believes everyone should benefit from journalism that resonates with them. Independent news providers and freelance journalists often fill gaps left by mainstream media, giving a voice to underrepresented groups, holding authorities accountable, and fact-checking political claims. These awards will recognise journalism that drives meaningful change at individual, community, or institutional levels and drive social change.

  • Recipients of the Tenacious Journalist Awards will receive:

    • A grant of £10,000 to enhance public interest journalism;

    • Up to eight months of coaching and mentoring tailored to their needs;

    • Access to networks including Law for Change, Tenacious Campaigners and the wider Changing Ideas network; and

    • Recognition as a leader in independent journalism.

  • Applicants must:

    • Be an individual journalist or independent news organisation with a turnover below £2m and no commercial or political affiliations.

    • Be UK-based.

    • Focus primarily on public interest news - that is ethical and impartial journalism that informs and empowers the public.

    • Be seeking support to highlight a social issue and achieve change.

    The funding may be used to enable new journalism, complete an existing piece of investigative work, publish work or a combination.

  • We anticipate a strong and extensive field of applicants for these awards.

    Applicants should aim to show: 

    • A history of high-quality, ethical journalism.

    • A proven record of positive social impact in the UK.

    • A clear plan for using the award to highlight a social issue and achieve change through public interest journalism.

  • Applications are now open and should be received before 9 January 2026. 

    Judging will take place during January and February 2026. We may arrange phone calls with applicants if we have follow up questions. Judges will include representatives of Changing Ideas, PINF, previous Tenacious Awards winners and a leading investigative journalist. 

    We expect the winners to have been announced by the end of February 2026.

  • Applications are welcome from both freelance journalists and all types of independent news media, including print, digital, audio, and video.

    Whether you publish via a website, community radio, or social media platforms like Substack or Instagram, you can apply if your work aligns with PINF's definition of public interest news.

  • Please complete this form before 9 January 2026. 

    Be concise and provide relevant links or evidence to support your application.

    For any questions, contact us at journalists@tenaciousawards.org.