Media Fellowships

Each year, we sponsor a select number of journalists from the US and Europe for an independent, transatlantic trip to research stories relevant to the foundation’s work on climate and energy policy, democracy and social policy, foreign and security policy, or technology and digital policy. Fellowships are selected annually and are open to journalists in any medium.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

The Transatlantic Media Fellowships support well-researched transatlantic journalism. Each year, the Heinrich Böll Foundation sponsors a select number of journalists from the US and Europe for an independent, transatlantic trip to research stories relevant to the foundation’s work on climate and energy policy, foreign and security policy, shared challenges to democracy, as well as technology and digital policy. Fellowships are selected annually and are open to journalists in any medium.

WHAT WE OFFER

The Heinrich Böll Foundation offers a stipend of $3,500. The stipend is partially paid in advance to cover travel costs related to the project and partially paid after completion of the reporting.

WHO CAN APPLY

We seek journalists with a strong track record of publications, working in any medium, who offer new perspectives on transatlantic policy debates.

We will give special consideration to journalists:

from regional or local media outlets who can demonstrate that transatlantic reporting is a new and important perspective for their audience
women and journalists from diverse backgrounds
whose story ideas would be informative for regional or local policy debates
who may not otherwise have the opportunity to conduct transatlantic research

Note: We do not require fellows to be citizens of either the US or the EU; however, fellows are responsible for securing their own visas, if necessary. We can provide a letter of support for the visa application process.

Please note that eligibility criteria differ by issue area.

ISSUE AREAS

Please apply for only one of the following issue areas:

Climate & Energy Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on climate and energy policy in the US and/or in Europe. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Energy transition towards renewables
Phase-out of fossil fuels
Climate activism and civil movements
Prevention of fossil fuel and nuclear projects
Sustainable transport concepts
Just transition and Green New Deal

Research should be conducted in the US or Europe.

Applicants should be:

based in Germany and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in the US; or
based in the US and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in Europe.

Democracy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on challenges to democracy in the US and in EU member states. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Challenges to democracy in Eastern Europe
Hostile media environments
New progressive movements & leaders
LGBTQ & Gender Equality
Migration (climate-induced migration is of particular interest)
Historical reconciliation/Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung

Applicants should be based in the US and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in Europe.

Foreign & Security Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories related to Europe and its neighborhood, foreign affairs, and transatlantic relations. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Old and new migration routes to Europe
The threat of election interference and disinformation campaigns in Europe
The changing relationship between Europe and Russia
The future of arms controls and nuclear disarmament in Europe
New challenges to the European security architecture
Views on foreign policy in US rural communities
The relevance of transatlantic trade for the US, particularly rural communities
Defense industries and their economic impact on regions in the US and Europe

Research should be conducted in the US or Europe and its neighborhood.

Applicants should be:

based in Germany and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in the US; or
based in the US and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in Europe and its neighborhood.

Technology & Digital Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on US/European or transatlantic debates on technology and digital policy and/ or policy responses to China’s growing technological power and influence. Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

Data privacy and network protection
Ethical concerns about the use of AI/Big Data
Concerns over Chinese investments or use of Chinese technology
Competitiveness in AI solutions, in fields like autonomous driving
Green AI solutions
Global standard-setting for new technologies
Activities of Chinese technology firms in the US or EU, for example in mobile payments

Research should be conducted in the US or Europe.

Applicants should be:

based in Germany and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in the US; or
based in the US and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in Europe.

WHAT'S EXPECTED

Reporting: We are open to different reporting formats and recognize that each fellow must meet the requirements of their own media outlet. However, the most successful proposals generally follow one of the following formats:

one longer, investigative piece (about 2000 words) with visual/multimedia material;
three shorter articles (about 1000 words each);
multimedia pieces such as podcasts, short films, or photo essays.

Each fellow is expected to publish content from their trip in any print or online medium no later than October 31, 2019.

Publication: Fellows must be able either to guarantee the publication of their pieces or to demonstrate a strong track record of publications. Regardless of publication, we require all fellows to submit completed stories at the end of their fellowship.

Crediting the foundation: Fellows will retain full editorial control over reporting but should credit the foundation for supporting their research. The Heinrich Böll Foundation retains the right to feature the final pieces on its website following their publication, either as an excerpt or in its complete form. In cases where publication with a media outlet cannot be secured, articles may be published on the foundation’s website.

Active social media engagement: A key aim of the fellowship is to make the journalistic process more transparent to readers. Fellows are therefore expected to actively engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the public over Twitter, Facebook, and/or Instagram while traveling and developing their stories.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the instructions carefully. We do not consider incomplete applications.

Applications should consist of:

Resume: Please use a standard US format. This means no picture, date of birth, or marital/familial status.
Cover letter: One page outlining your motivation and qualifications.
Proposal: Please include the following three sections:
- Story proposal(s): Please include a short description of the story/stories you plan to cover (about 200 words each). You do not need to have interviews confirmed, but you should indicate whom you plan to contact. Please also specify the language of publication, medium, audience, and plans for publication.
- Travel itinerary: Please outline your dates of travel, destinations, and possible interviews in each location. Travel should be for a minimum of 5 days and must be completed by July 31, 2019.
- Social media engagement: Briefly explain how you plan to engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation and with the broader public in the course of your fellowship.
Work samples: Please submit two work samples. Include them in your cover letter file, and upload them (with your cover letter) as one file. If they are other forms of media (e.g. video) please email us and we will make accommodations. If your previous work is not in English, German, Spanish, or French, please provide a brief summary of each of your work samples.