# Second Open Call: Apply for the July 2025 Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program!
**🔥 Missed our June session? Don’t worry – here’s your second chance to level up your investigative journalism skills!** The Next-IJ Cross-Border Investigative Training Program is now accepting applications for its July 2025 session. This full-day online intensive is designed to enhance your investigative reporting capabilities through practical, hands-on learning. ### Deadline: **5 July, 2025 (Now closed)** *Spots are limited, though if you're eligible but not selected for this round, you may be invited to join our next training session on **Saturday, 20 September 2025**.* ### What to Expect 📅 When: **Friday, 18 July 2025** 📌Where: **Online** Led by expert investigative journalists and researchers from [OCCRP](https://www.occrp.org/en/about-us) and [Transcrime](https://www.transcrime.it/en/who-we-are/)–Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, the training will dive into: * Advanced tools and techniques for data-driven investigations * Cross-border collaboration strategies * Real-world case studies on financial crime, political corruption, and global trafficking You’ll learn how to: 🔍 Follow the money 🕵️ Track assets across borders 🏢 Uncover hidden corporate ownership 📊 Navigate and analyse complex datasets using [Aleph](https://aleph.occrp.org/) and [DATACROS](https://www.datacros3.com/) ⚖️ Handle data in a legal and ethical way Whether you’re chasing complex financial trails or uncovering international corruption, this programme will sharpen your skills and expand your investigative toolkit. ### Who Can Apply We’re looking for mid-career professionals working in journalism (freelancers are encouraged to apply) who meet the following criteria: * **Location:** Applicants **must be based in or professionally affiliated with a** [**Creative Europe**](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe) **country** (EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Tunisia). *Please* *note that the U.K., Switzerland, and Türkiye are NOT current members of Creative Europe.* * **Background:** Applicants who have a strong background in investigative journalism, data journalism, and/or in-depth reporting. Participation in investigative projects will be considered a plus. * **Inclusion**: We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders and from underrepresented communities to foster a diverse and inclusive network. * **Language Proficiency**: Applicants should have a professional working proficiency in English. ***Please note** that journalism students are not eligible unless otherwise indicated in your application (i.e., an experienced journalist seeking a higher degree, etc.).* ### What You’ll Need to Apply To apply, please submit: * A brief statement of interest (150-200 words) * Your CV * A description of the investigative topics or cross-border issues you are currently exploring or interested in (100-150 words) * 1-3 writing samples or links to previously published works ### What You’ll Gain * **Advanced investigative training**: Focused on the latest technologies and ethical considerations. * **Mentorship**: Guidance from OCCRP’s global network of editors and reporters. * **Certification:** An official OCCRP-issued certificate upon successful completion. * **Networking**: Access to a growing network of peers working on impactful stories. * **A chance to attend an Investigathon in Milan:** Selected participants will be eligible to attend an in-person Investigathon in Milan – more details to follow. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your skills and collaborate with fellow investigative journalists! *** ### About Next-IJ Next-Level Data and Tools for Investigative Journalism ([Next-IJ](https://next-ij.eu)) is an EU-supported initiative designed to offer new, innovative training solutions for investigative reporting by equipping journalists with cutting-edge tools, advanced data analysis capabilities, and enhanced cross-border collaboration networks. Next-IJ is organising three training sessions this year aimed at empowering European journalists, newsrooms, and media outlets with a combination of advanced tools (including artificial intelligence), data, training, legal and ethical guidance, and hands-on investigation opportunities to uncover and investigate corruption and organised and financial crime in multilateral cooperation and partnerships. ### Partners Next-Level Data and Tools for Investigative Journalism (Next-IJ) is led by the[ Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP)](https://www.occrp.org/en), the[ Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC)](https://www.transcrime.it/en/) – through the Joint Research Centre on Innovation and Crime ([Transcrime](https://www.transcrime.it/)) and the School of Journalism – and the [ Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD).](https://gfmd.info/) The initiative is supported by the[ European Education and Culture Executive Agency](https://www.eacea.ec.europa.eu/index_en) (EECEA) of the European Commission.
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