Coimisiún na Meán has opened applications for €100,000 in funding to support media literacy initiatives tackling disinformation, under the National Counter Disinformation Strategy.

Coimisiún na Meán has a statutory remit around promoting media literacy initiatives and activities. We see media literacy as a lifelong learning journey. Funding opportunities may be made available for projects and initiatives that are in line with our Media Literacy Policy (PDF) and other priority areas.

We are seeking applications for grant funding for media literacy initiatives under our Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Micro Fund and Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Innovation Fund. 

A total of €100,000 is available for organisations that can deliver media literacy activities in line with the National Counter Disinformation Strategy (NCDS) published on 17 April 2025. This is the second of two calls issued in 2026. 

There are two strands available:

1. Strand A – Micro Fund: Grants of €500 to €3,000 for community-based media literacy activities. Open to community and voluntary groups, local action groups, broadband coordinators, and community training programmes.
2. Strand B – Innovation Fund: Grants of up to €25,000 for collaborative projects at regional or national level. Open to any consortium of two or more organisations.

Strand A: Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Micro Fund  

Strand A will seek to provide micro-grants for community-based media literacy activities, with grants ranging from €500 up to a maximum of €3,000 per application.  

Strand A welcomes applications from organisations and bodies embedded within communities (community and voluntary groups, including Broadband Coordinators in Local Authorities, Local Action Groups and community training programmes). Funding received should be used to develop, facilitate, enhance or deliver media literacy activities at a local level. 

What can be funded or supported under this call? 

This fund aims to provide support to community and voluntary organisations to deliver in-person media literacy activities. In-person activities must take place in Ireland and be free for participants to attend. Applications from all counties across the country are sought.  

Some potential examples include but are not limited to:  

• Awareness-raising events about the impact of mis- and disinformation for your community. 
• Drop-in clinics, community cafés and hubs that foster digital literacy skills (e.g. how to spot mis- and disinformation, how to avoid scams).  
• Talks or presentations by media literacy, fact-checking or mis- and disinformation experts.  
• Development of exhibitions and/or printed resources in community spaces (e.g. raising awareness of the risks of mis- and disinformation). 
• Developing and delivering community-based workshops on media literacy and verifying information and promoting critical thinking (e.g. using the Be Media Smart ‘Stop, Think, Check’ message and resources). 
• Identifying and developing media literacy trainers/facilitators within your community.  

Examples of activities that cannot be supported under this call include the production of films, television or radio programmes, or the recording of podcasts, and/or sponsoring of activities. For opportunities in the latter areas, our other funding programmes may be of interest.  

Strand B: Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Innovation Fund 

Strand B will seek to provide grants to collaborative innovation projects up to a maximum of €25,000 per application.  

Strand B is intended for applications from any consortium of two or more bodies. Funding received should be used to counter disinformation through media literacy activities at regional or national level.  

What can be funded or supported under this call?  

Some potential activities are identified below. This list is not exhaustive:  

• Pilot programmes, events, activities and workshop series on media literacy and verifying information to promote critical thinking skills.  
• Research studies that focus on the use of media literacy activities to counter disinformation and related areas. 

Examples of activities that cannot be supported under this call include activities that do not have a media literacy focus or do not have an innovative element or a new component (e.g. reaching a new audience or launching a new publication, resource or study).   

For both Strands A and B, eligible costs may include personnel costs (e.g. for trainers, researchers, speakers and facilitators), printing, catering, tea/coffee for participants, travel expenses, accounting fees, and, in specific and limited circumstances, capital costs. 

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 9 October 2026.

Find out more and apply at cnam.ie.