Tactical Tech is looking for experienced investigators and media professionals to collaborate on producing learning resources (investigation guides, method tutorials, workshop curricula) and to conduct training for journalists and media on a range of investigation methods and topics.
Deadline: 20 March 2026
This is a paid collaboration with Tactical Tech, in the framework of the EU-funded Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (CIJI).
TOPICS
We are looking for collaborators with proven investigative journalism or socially engaged research experience, OSINT expertise and demonstrated writing and training skills in the following thematic areas:
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AI and us — AI systems; tech innovation politics and powers in the tech sector; tech finances and connections across various sectors; global politics behind AI; emotional dependency on Gen AI;
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Climate and information crisis — overlap between information disorder and climate crisis in the context of digital influence and climate action; tech innovation and climate friction;
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Growing up with tech — young people caught in the machine; business models monetizing youth’s tech addictions, and related power struggles;
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Mapping the depths, the depth of mapping — who, why and how is mapping the bottom of the seas and oceans? Who has the data?
ACTIVITIES
This paid collaboration will run between March and October 2026, and will include activities such as:
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Researching and writing content about investigation techniques, tools and case-based methodologies in the form of practical guides or workshop curricula;
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Conducting presentations and / or workshops (online and in-person) based on the developed content. (Participation costs for in-person events that are part of the collaboration will be covered by Tactical Tech in addition to the contracted fees.)
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Attending several internal online meetings with the Tactical Tech team and the group of selected contributors (from this call) in order to exchange ideas, feedback and share skills and necessary support. Time-line to be decided following the selection of contributors.
Some collaborators may be invited to attend an investigation residency that Tactical Tech will host in Berlin in the fall of 2026 (costs covered / dates tba).
APPLICATION
What to focus on when sending a proposal?
Topics:
- We invite applicants to provide as many details as possible regarding their expertise and proposed topics of collaboration, keeping in mind the above-mentioned topic priorities.
Proposed themes and topics should be relevant - as approach and format - to one of the following resources of Tactical Tech but we are open to other / creative approaches and suggestions:
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AI work: https://tacticaltech.org/AI-work/
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Climate and information crisis: https://tacticaltech.org/replaybook/
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Exposing the Invisible “Workshops Curricula” for investigators and media: https://exposingtheinvisible.org/en/learn/workshops/
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Exposing the Invisible Kit "Guides for Investigators": https://kit.exposingtheinvisible.org/en/
Approach — Important note:
- Rather than proposing a new full-scale investigation or topic from scratch, applicants should base their proposal on already done work (or existing professional knowledge), which they have experience with, and which can be followed up with new resources, knowledge sharing opportunities (training, workshops) or development of new investigation angles.
Who should apply?
We are looking for individual contributors (not institutional partners) who:
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are experienced investigators, media trainers, researchers or have other similar background in the field of investigation, data research and exploration;
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have concrete proposals for written contributions, workshop ideas and trainings relevant to the above-mentioned topics;
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have a proven track record in collaborative reporting, research and/or investigation of public interest issues;
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have a proven track record in writing about or conducting training on investigation techniques including (but not limited to) and topic addressing the thematic areas mentioned above.
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are advanced or fluent in spoken and written English; all content will be developed in English.
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have the ability to deliver on time and to respond to feedback in a timely manner;
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are committed to enhancing and supporting knowledge sharing across the reporting and investigation fields;
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have cultural/political sensitivity and adaptability, and awareness of different views of the world.
WHAT WE OFFER
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This is a paid collaboration. Fees will vary depending on agreed content (length, approach, time needed) - between 600 EUR and 1200 EUR - and will be based on short-term consultancy agreements rolling out between March and October 2026.
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Join a creative network of like-minded people and organisations. You will become part of a growing collaborative community of investigators, media. researchers, artists, technologists and others working in the public interest to create accessible cutting-edge resources and knowledge that can reach wider audiences across generations and professional backgrounds.
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Resulting content will be produced and published by Tactical Tech on its websites, with the contributors’ bylines, under a Creative Commons license.
HOW TO APPLY
Fill out this application form: https://lime.ttc.io/index.php/99794?lang=en
Deadline: 20 March 2026
Using AI when you apply? — For full transparency, please disclose if you are using AI tools to structure and write your application responses.
CONTACT
You can reach out to us with questions about this call by writing to: eti@tacticaltech.org
ABOUT US
Tactical Tech is a creative international NGO with 21 years of experience dedicated to investigating and mitigating the profound impact of technology on our societies. We work with investigators and educators to enable evidence-driven decisions & actions.
The EU funded project “Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative” (CIJI) - which will host these collaborations - aims to equip independent media outlets and individual journalists with resources, innovative networking infrastructure and standards-based methods that enable them to practice high-quality, and ethical and accountable collaborative and investigative journalism. More at: https://www.ciji.info/
Disclaimer:
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.