The Fully Funded Reporters Without Borders Berlin Fellowship in Germany is open to all internationals. From May 2024 until the end of October 2024, six journalists from crisis areas will be invited to Berlin for six months.

During their stay in Berlin, the fellowship holders can enjoy a break and will complete a comprehensive training program on digital self-defense for journalists. The Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises funds the program.

Professional journalists, bloggers, media professionals, and citizen journalists who

1. Are exposed to digital threats of any form and

2. Experienced digital violence such as doxing or impersonation and

3. Want to educate themselves about digital security to improve their security and the safety of their sources and 

4. Are interested in passing on the knowledge acquired during the scholarship program to colleagues in their home regions and, ideally, already have some experience in teaching or other areas of knowledge transfer and

5. Are able and willing to participate in the program fully. We expect the applicants to be available for all program activities, including the comprehensive training for digital security. Please plan for 20 to 25 hours per week during the training period.

In the selection process, applicants who work as investigative journalists on topics such as the climate crisis, corruption, labor rights, or migration will be given positive consideration.

The benefits of the Fully Funded Reporters Without Borders Berlin Fellowship in Germany are:

1. Reporters Without Borders will cover the travel costs, take care of all visa-related matters, provide and pay for an apartment in Berlin for the duration of the scholarship, grant a monthly allowance of 1000€/month, pay for the health insurance and the use of public transportation in Berlin.

2. Every fellow will participate in an extensive training program in digital security with experienced trainers for several months.

3. Furthermore, during their stay in Berlin, scholarship holders will be given insights into the activities of Reporters Without Borders Germany, a globally active journalist and human rights organization.

The eligibility criteria for the Fully Funded Reporters Without Borders Berlin Fellowship in Germany are stated below:

1. Must have a very strong command of the English language, as the whole fellowship program will be conducted entirely in English and

2. Must have adequate experience working as a journalist, be it as a professional journalist or as a citizen journalist, and

3. Must show a strong interest in learning in-depth about digital security for journalists. A high level of proficiency in regards to digital security is not required. Anyone who is used to working with a computer and smartphone can apply

4. Must be able and willing to fully participate in all activities of the program (see above Who can apply)

5. Must show that you are willing to return to their home region after the fellowship in Germany

Application documents

If you want to apply for the Berlin Fellowship Programm, please fill out 

the application form

the questionnaire

Then please send the following four documents in four separate PDFs to apply for the program

1. A completed and signed the application form

2. The completed questionnaire

3. Your CV and

4. An identity document (ID or passport)