Digital giant Google has provided a financial boost to a fund aimed at helping journalists from disadvantaged backgrounds with their training.

The Google News Initiative has announced it is doubling its contribution to the Journalism Diversity Fund, administered by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The NCTJ says the contribution will ensure the fund can continue to support the growing number of individuals from diverse backgrounds who need financial support to complete the Diploma in Journalism.

The news follows the NCTJ’s announcement in February that it aims to raise the overall annual income of the JDF to £500,000.

Google News Lab head of partnerships and training Matt Cooke, pictured, said: “We’re pleased to support the JDF’s important work to give aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to pursue a career in journalism.”

NCTJ head of partnerships and projects Will Gore added: “We are hugely grateful for Google’s generosity, which is so important at a time when we are seeking to help more prospective journalists by growing the JDF.

“Seeing an existing sponsor of the fund increase its contribution is a testament to the scheme’s past success and to our vision for its future.

“At a time when the journalism sector faces extraordinary challenges, it remains vital that the profession should be open to people from a wide range of backgrounds, who can bring their varied talents and viewpoints to bear on our sector.

“As a lead sponsor of the JDF, the Google News Initiative is helping to make that possible.”