Berlin Scholarship Program 2026 | Fully Funded Fellowship in Germany for Journalists

The Berlin Scholarship Program offers a remarkable fully funded opportunity for journalists worldwide to advance their digital reporting skills in Germany. Organized by Reporter Ohne Grenzen (Reporters Without Borders Germany), this fellowship provides a six-month, all-expenses-paid stay in Berlin, including a free Schengen visa, airfare, accommodation, monthly stipend, and public transport access.

This prestigious fellowship in Europe is designed to support journalists working in the digital field, empowering them with tools, training, and networking opportunities to strengthen independent media and freedom of expression.

Quick Summary of the Fellowship

• Host Country: Germany
• Host City: Berlin
• Organized by: Reporter Ohne Grenzen (Reporters Without Borders Germany)
• Program Name: Berlin Fellowship Program
• Eligible Applicants: Open to all nationalities
• Eligible Education Levels: High school graduates, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. holders
• Program Duration: Six months
• Focus Area: Digital Journalism & Media Freedom
• Application Deadline: December 4, 2023

Scholarship Benefits (Fully Funded Package)

Selected participants will receive:

• Free accommodation for the entire six-month duration.
• Round-trip airfare to and from Berlin.
• Monthly stipend of €1,000 to cover personal and living expenses.
• Schengen visa assistance provided and covered entirely by the program.
• Free access to Berlin’s public transportation network.
• No application fees are required at any stage.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be working in the field of journalism, digital reporting, or media freedom.
• Demonstrate a commitment to promoting digital rights and independent journalism.
• Hold a minimum of a high school qualification; higher academic degrees are welcome.
• Be able to commit to the six-month fellowship period in Berlin.
• Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply.
• No language proficiency certificate (like IELTS or TOEFL) is required.
• There are no age restrictions for this program.

Application Process

To apply for the Berlin Scholarship Program 2025, follow these steps:

1. Download and fill out the official application form and questionnaire (available on the official website).
2. Prepare the following documents:
   • Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
   • A recent passport-sized photo
3. Send all completed documents through one of the following options:
   1. Option 1:
      • From your Proton Mail account, send your application to rsf.digitalfreedom@protonmail.com.
      • If you don’t have one, you can create a free Proton Mail account at https://proton.me/mail.
   2. Option 2:
      • Submit your application via Signal Messenger to +49 163 674 3853.
      • If you don’t already use Signal, download it at https://signal.org.
4. Ensure that all documents are submitted before the deadline:
   Monday, December 4, 2023, at 23:59 (Central European Time).

Important Notes

• No application fee is required.
• No language test is needed for eligibility.
• Applicants from all nationalities are encouraged to apply.
• The program focuses on digital journalism, press freedom, and digital security training.

For more information and access to the application form, visit the Official Website of the Berlin Fellowship Program.

The Berlin Scholarship Program 2025 by Reporters Without Borders is a fully funded fellowship in Germany designed to support international journalists and digital media professionals. It covers all major expenses — visa, accommodation, airfare, and a monthly stipend — while offering a transformative opportunity to gain global exposure in Berlin’s media environment.