The Washington, D.C.-based Fund for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) is offering grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000, to reporters worldwide working outside the protection and backing of major news organizations. Deadline: February 1.

Grants are limited to journalists seeking pre-publication help for investigative pieces involving corruption, malfeasance, incompetence and societal ills in general as well as for investigative media criticism.

Applicants must have a commitment to publish or broadcast the finished project, as well as a project outline detailing their plans for reporting the story, and a budget and a resume in order to apply.

Applications must be completed in English. The fund accepts e-mail attachments for applicants outside the U.S.

For more information, go to http://www.fij.org./grants or email fundfij@gmail.com.