The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNT Fund) is a $114 million South African initiative that provides project-based grants and training to small and medium independent news publishers. The fund, created in partnership with Google and the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), launched its first application round in August 2025
Funding and administration
- Funding partners: The fund is sponsored by Google and co-founded by the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP).
- Independent management: It is independently managed and administered by Tshikululu Social Investments, an experienced social investment fund manager.
- No product requirements: The fund does not require beneficiaries to use Google products or services as part of their digital transformation projects.
Who is eligible?
The DNT Fund primarily supports small, medium, and community-based independent news publishers in South Africa that produce original, public-interest journalism. Eligible applicants include:
Collectives or consortia proposing industry-wide projects
Local and independent news publishers
Industry bodies or support organizations that serve the local media ecosystem
What is supported?
The fund supports projects focused on areas such as digital transformation, financial sustainability, audience engagement, diversity and inclusion, fact-checking, and producing original journalism.
Funding tiers
The DNT Fund offers three tiers of funding based on project scope:
Engage: Up to R1,900,000 annually for advanced innovation and revenue models.
Build: Up to R380,000 annually for foundational digital capacity.
Grow: Up to R950,000 annually to expand digital reach.
How to apply
The first application round began on August 25, 2025. More information on how to apply and eligibility is available on the fund’s official website.
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