DNT Fund Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the DNT Fund?

The Digital News Transformation Fund (DNT Fund) is a R114-million initiative funded by Google in partnership with the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), and administered independently by Tshikululu Social Investments The Fund was established by AIP on behalf of the media industry however applicants do not need to be AIP members to benefit. The Fund aims to strengthen the sustainability, digital transformation, and audience reach of South Africa’s small, medium, and independent news publishers producing original public interest journalism.

What does the DNT Fund support?

The DNT Fund provides grant funding for projects that:
– Support original public interest journalism
– Enable digital transformation and product development (including Gen AI tools)
– Focus on financial sustainability and revenue development
– Promote audience engagement and reach
– Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in media
– Support fact-checking and countering disinformation
– Can be undertaken by individual publishers or collective beneficiaries
– Are strictly product-agnostic (Google products not required)

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:
– Local and independent news publishers in South Africa
– Industry bodies, associations, or support organisations serving the local media ecosystem
– Collectives or consortiums proposing industry-wide projects

Applicants must:
– Be legally registered entities
– Be Press Council members in good standing
– Have audiences/readership that comprise at least 75% black beneficiaries (as per B-BBEE Act)
– Be tax compliant
– Demonstrate organisational capacity and a genuine commitment to digital transformation

Who cannot apply?

The following are ineligible:
– Aggregators, general-interest magazines, and broadcasters
– Political parties, campaigns, or projects with political propaganda
– Publishers currently benefiting from Google News Showcase (unless disqualified for language or geography)
– Publishers with over 1 million monthly unique visitors (with exceptions)
– Unregistered or non-compliant entities
– Projects implemented outside South Africa (unless benefiting SA audiences)
– Completed activities (no retrospective funding)

How will applications be assessed?

Applications will undergo:
1. Initial Screening for eligibility and completeness
2. Scoring by the independent Adjudication Committee using the DNT Fund Scoring Matrix
3. Final ratification by the Oversight and Advisory Board and Tshikululu Trustees

Assessment criteria include alignment with DNTF objectives, innovation, feasibility, governance capacity, audience engagement, diversity, sustainability, and impact potential. Applicants are encouraged to pilot projects that could benefit the industry as a whole.

How much funding is available?

Funding is offered across three tiers:

– Build: Up to R380,000 per year for foundational digital capacity
– Grow: Up to R950,000 per year for expansion of digital reach
– Engage: Up to R1,900,000 per year for advanced innovation and revenue models

Multi-year funding (up to 3 years) is possible subject to performance and annual review.

Will Google or AIP influence funding decisions?

No. To protect independence and integrity:
– Google is not involved in adjudication, oversight, or decision-making bodies.
– AIP’s role was limited to co-founding the Fund.
– Funding decisions are made independently by the Adjudication Committee and ratified by the Oversight and Advisory Board.

When will applications open?

The first call for applications will open on 25 August. Announcements will be made on the DNT Fund website and via industry communication channels.

What reporting is required from grantees?

Grantees will be required to:
– Submit bi-annual progress reports
– Provide financial reports, including audited or independently reviewed statements (where applicable)
– Submit a final impact report aligned with agreed deliverables
– Participate in case study development for sector learning

First-time applicants and smaller publishers will receive additional reporting support and mentorship.

What is the adjudication committee’s mandate and decision‑making authority?

The Adjudication Committee independently assesses applications against Board‑approved criteria using a standard 100‑point scoring matrix. The AC issues funding recommendations; final approvals are ratified by the Oversight & Advisory Board, with the Secretariat recording both the recommendations and ratifications in the Decision Log. Google, as the Funder, has no involvement in funding decisions. Adjudication Committee decisions are taken by majority vote.

How are conflicts of interest handled?

Disclosure

Initial declaration before service.
Annual update within 30 days of the appointment anniversary.
Event-driven updates within 14 days of any change.
Meeting-specific conflicts declared at the start and minuted.
Secretariat maintains a secure Register.

Recusal

Required if the member (or immediate family/close associates) is an applicant, has a Material Interest, or has provided services to an applicant in the past 12 months.
Member exits for that agenda item and is excluded from related documents, discussions, and votes.
Secretariat records the recusal in the minutes.

Cooling-off

No Adjudication Committee member (nor immediate family) may hold a Material Interest in, or professional engagement with, a Related Organisation during service and for six months thereafter.
Any such interest must be declared immediately and triggers resignation.

Gifts/benefits

Any grant, donation, or other benefit exceeding ZAR 50,000 in the preceding 12 months constitutes a Material Interest and must be disclosed/managed.

Confidentiality

Members sign a confidentiality agreement and must comply with POPIA.
The Fund publishes member names/bios and anonymised decision data, not individual applications.

Breaches

Non-compliance may lead to removal.
If a decision was tainted by an undeclared conflict, the Board may set aside or vary that decision after due process.

How can applicants query outcomes or lodge an appeal/complaint?

The Fund website will host a public Questions & Feedback facility. The Secretariat will acknowledge enquiries within 3 business days and provide a response (or update the FAQ) within 5 business days. Unsuccessful applicants will be notified and given reasons limited to the published criteria. A list of approved beneficiaries (amounts and periods) is published. Disputes regarding conflict‑of‑interest rulings are referred to the Board.

What information will be made publicly available on the website?