Wanted: Explosive Research Projects for the 2023 Investigation Award

Zurich/Lausanne, 13. January 2023

Set up in 2018, Public Eye’s Investigation Award was met twice with great success and is now being held for the third time. Human rights violations, environmental problems, murky deals or corruption: media professionals from around the world have until the 24 March to submit journalistic projects on the activities of Swiss companies in developing countries, two of which will obtain research grants of CHF 10,000.

With the launch of the Investigation Award on its 50th birthday, Public Eye fulfilled a longstanding desire. The almost 100 applications submitted on the two previous occasions clearly showed how many important ideas are out there. But they also revealed the extent to which many reporters, correspondents and civil society actors cannot rely (anymore) on the resources necessary to undertake costly research, both in terms of financing and time. The previous winning projects were testament to the value of investing in such research.

Anyone who conducts professional research, from media professionals to representatives of NGOs or academic institutions, are invited to apply by 24 March 2023. The journalistic work must be as yet unpublished and shine a spotlight on human rights violations, environmental crimes, corruption or illegitimate financial practices of any Swiss company, institute or individual abroad. You can find further details on the competition in the official Call for projects and the Rules.

The submissions will be assessed for the CHF 20,000 grant by a high-level jury comprised of Alexandra Gillies, anti-corruption director of OCCRP, New York-based journalism professor Anya Schiffrin, Africa reporter Will Fitzgibbon of ICIJ and Oliver Zihlmann, co-head of Tamedia's investigation unit. The remaining four members of the eight-person expert panel are from Public Eye.

Public Eye’s Investigation Award seeks to contribute to professional, engaged, and innovative research and journalism. The prize also mirrors the organisation’s long investigative tradition: our campaign and lobby work has always been based on careful documentation of relevant grievances that need to be addressed by policy change.

Click here for more information or contact:

Oliver Classen, Media Director, +41 44 277 79 06, oliver.classen@publiceye.ch