IPI’s call for applications to the 2026-27 Transition Accelerator is now closed. We thank everyone who took the time and energy to submit strong and competitive applications. In the next stage, our independent jury will select up to 18 newsrooms to take part in the programme. IPI’s Media Innovation team eagerly awaits the chance to support and collaborate with a new group of ambitious media through the Transition Accelerator this October!
This year, we received a record number of 101 applications from media organisations in 24 countries: Albania, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.
In the application process, we were honoured and motivated to learn about a new, wider-reaching range of project ideas aiming to bring together local communities through events and apps, develop audience-centric membership models, leverage AI to tap into archival material, adopt creator-style approaches to reach new and underserved audiences, and more.
The applications highlight several major trends, including the potential of a coalition-based approach to funding, new opportunities to dive into archival material and personalised content with the help of AI and building direct relationships with the audience.
What’s next?
In the next stage, the Accelerator jury will carefully review each submission and select up to 18 projects to participate in the programme. All applicants will be informed of the results by the middle of October. A public announcement of successful newsrooms will be made at a later date.
Selected newsrooms will benefit from up to €25,000 in grants, along with one-on-one needs assessment, training, individual coaching, and access to IPI’s networking and funding opportunities.
This year’s cohort will also have an opportunity to attend the 2027 World Congress and Media Innovation Festival in Budapest on May 12-14, 2027.
Following two successful editions over four years, the programme builds on its model, integrating funding, design sprints, interdisciplinary workshops from AI use to community needs, expert coaching, training, and peer learning to increase long-term viability and competitiveness in the media’s respective markets and niches.
Learn about the 2024 Transition Accelerator participants and their success stories.
The Transition Accelerator, part of Media Innovation Europe (MIE), is co-funded by the European Union.
