The Fully Funded Rest and Resilience Journalists Fellowship in Germany is a joint program by the Taz Panter Foundation and Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which has occurred annually since 2015. We invite two journalists from countries with restricted freedom of the press and information to Berlin for a period limited to six months. During their stay, media professionals take time off from their daily obligations to recover from difficult working conditions and expand their personal and professional horizons. At the end of the six months, the fellows return to their home countries with renewed energy and fresh perspectives to continue their journalistic work.

If they wish, participants can withdraw completely from public life. However, the fellowships will offer workshops for further training and networking, and participation is strongly encouraged. Additionally, the time spent in Berlin offers opportunities for exchange with international journalists worldwide, getting to know German editorial offices, taking language classes, and taking advantage of individual psychosocial counseling, if desired.

The Fully Funded Rest and Resilience Journalists Fellowship in Germany are:

1. Visa and travel costs

2. Furnished apartment in Berlin

3. Travel health insurance for the six months spent in Berlin

4. Monthly grant of 1000€

5. Psychological support

6. Workshops (e.g. on digital safety training, stress management)

7. Professional journalistic and/or personal training opportunities

The eligibility criteria for the Fully Funded Rest and Resilience Journalists Fellowship in Germany are stated below:

1. The applicant has a firm idea of how the six-month fellowship in Berlin can positively impact his or her current situation.
Please Note: The fellowship should be used for personal development and, if necessary, professional reorientation; the journalist can return to their home country with new viewpoints and replenished energy.

2. Several years of work experience as a professional journalist.
Please note: Although the work of human rights activists is very valuable, we cannot invite individuals who are not professional journalists, as they do not fall under RSF’s mandate.

3. Personal threat profile due to journalistic work or difficult working conditions caused by external factors.

4. Proven knowledge of the English language. The applicants must be able to communicate well in a professional context.

5. A passport valid for at least twelve months at the time of application (or can be independently re-applied/renewed).

6. A state of health that permits longer travel, a six-month stay in the host country, and sufficient independence to handle everyday affairs independently in a foreign setting.

7. Ability and willingness to return to the country of origin after the fellowship period.
Please note: Unfortunately, Applications from journalists who cannot return to their home country due to the political situation or their threat situation can not be considered in the application process. This is mainly because the German authorities will issue no visa without a possibility of return. 

We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.

Your application must include the following documents:

1. The completed and signed application form.

2. A scan of your current passport (valid for another 12 months or independently renewable).

3. Your curriculum vitae in tabular form (CV).

4. A letter of motivation (1-2 pages) in which you explain why you are applying for the Rest & Resilience Fellowship. Please address what specific factors endanger or complicate your working situation. Please also write how you plan to use your stay in Berlin and how it will positively impact your future work in your home country.

Please send the completed application form and other requested documents in PDF format to [email protected]Please send your application in a secure and encrypted way; note that your email is only end-to-end encrypted if both the sender and recipient addresses are Protonmail addresses. You can set up a free Protonmail account here: https://proton.me