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 & energy policy, democracy & social policy, foreign & security policy, technology & digital policy, or global development policy. Fellowships are selected annually and are open to journalists in any medium.

Call for Applications: Transatlantic Media Fellowship 2024

Applications are due on March 15.

Thee Transatlantic Media Fellowship program supports well-researched transatlantic journalism. As in previous years, the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC will give a select number of journalists from the United States, Canada, and Germany the opportunity for on-the-ground reporting relevant to the foundation’s work on democracy & social policy, digital policy, foreign & security policy, and climate & energy policy. We accept applications for either travel-based or virtual research and reporting.

This year we will continue offering the Transatlantic Media Fellowship to journalists from Africa and Latin America in order to expand our understanding of the Transatlantic. The focus for fellows from Africa and Latin America will be on Global Development Policy or Digital Policy issues related to the Global South and the USA/Germany. For those interested, please see the description in the Issue Areas section – applicants from Africa and Latin America have a different set of rules and stipend amount than the rest.

WHAT WE OFFER

This is for all applicants from North America and Germany. If you are applying from Africa or Latin America, please refer to that section for eligibility and stipend information.

  • A stipend of $4,000 for an on-the-ground fellowship (including transatlantic travel); OR
  • A stipend of $1,500 for a digital fellowship (virtual interviews, no travel)

WHO CAN APPLY

We seek journalists with a strong track record of publications who offer new perspectives on transatlantic policy debates. Fellowships are open to journalists in any medium.

Applications from Africa or Latin America have a special set of criteria. Please look there to determine your eligibility.

Applicants should be:

  • based in the United States or Canada and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about Europe; OR
  • based in Germany and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about the United States or Canada

We especially encourage applications from journalists

  • working at regional or local media outlets, or freelancers
  • who can offer diverse, lesser-heard perspectives
  • who may not otherwise have the opportunity to conduct transatlantic research

Journalists are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements.

Applicants from North America and Germany

1. Democracy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on challenges to democracy in the United States, Canada or in EU member states. Possible topics include:

  • Challenges to democracy, such as voter suppression, political radicalization and violence, attacks on civil rights, education and free speech
  • Migration (climate-induced migration is of particular interest)
  • LGBTQ+ issues, gender equality, and racial justice
  • Debates on historical reconciliation (Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung)
  • Social, democratic and economic reforms and political changes under the Biden administration
  • Social, democratic and economic reform and political changes under the current German coalition government

2. Digital Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on digital policy in North America (United States and/or Canada) or in EU member states. Topics can include issues within digital rights, global digital governance, or technology and the green transition. Specific topic ideas include:

  • Online disinformation around conflicts
  • Feminist digital policy
  • Emerging technology including US and EU technology competition with China
  • Digital surveillance and reproductive rights
  • Issues relating to trade and technology between the EU and US
  • Privacy and data flows between the EU and US

3. Foreign & Security Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on foreign policy topics relevant to the United States, Canada, Germany and Europe. Possible themes for reporting include:

  • EU election 2024 & democratic backsliding
  • Effects of the war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza on EU/EU neighborhood
  • The future of European Security & Defense
  • US foreign policy agenda during US election campaigns
  • The future of the rules-based international order and Global North’s engagement with the Global South
  • Feminist foreign policy approaches

4. Energy & Environmental Policy

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on climate, energy, or environment policy/issues in the United States, Canada, or in EU member states. Possible topics include:

  • Climate agendas and targets
  • Green stimulus packages (e.g. IRA or European Green Deal)
  • Transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy
  • Environmental and climate justice
  • Sustainable transportation & urban design
  • Activism, community action, and alliance-building (e.g. with the labor movement) for climate action
  • Society & economy within planetary boundaries (air & water pollution, biodiversity, etc.)
  • Protecting & valuing nature and wild spaces

Applicants from Africa and Latin America

5. Global Development Policy and Digital Policy

Applicants should be:

  • From Africa or Latin America and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about the United States and/or Europe

We especially encourage applications from journalists

  • working at regional or local media outlets, or freelancers
  • who can offer diverse, lesser-heard perspectives
  • who may not otherwise have the opportunity to conduct transatlantic research

Journalists are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements. Due to the particular challenges facing Global South participants, the stipend for each fellow in this policy area will be $5,000.

Applicants in this category should pitch stories on global development or digital policy as it relates to the United States, Canada, or EU member states. Possible topics include:

  • Raw materials, mining, and the global supply chain for the renewable energy transition or the digital economy in the US and EU
  • Digital transformation and digital connectivity (e.g. digital infrastructure development)
  • Urban spaces and inequality in the US, Africa, and Latin America
  • Reform of the international financial institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc.)
  • Forced labor, inequality, and economic development
  • Environmental justice and preserving the world’s biodiversity
  • Conflict and its effects on development in the Global South
  • AI, including ecological and climate impacts

WHAT'S EXPECTED

Format: Reporting can be in the form of one longer, investigative piece, two to three shorter articles, or multimedia content (i.e., podcasts, videos, or photo essays).

Timeline: Fellows are expected to complete their travel and/or research and submit a first draft by October 15, 2024, and publish their content in any quality media outlet by the end of the calendar year. At a minimum, fellows must publish their pieces on our website.

Publication: Fellows must be able to either guarantee the publication of their pieces or to provide us with documentation of a completed story ready for publication.

Social media: Fellows are expected to engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC over Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky, and/or LinkedIn to document their travels and to promote their publications.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Please read the instructions carefully as we will not consider incomplete applications.

Applications should consist of:

  • Resume: Please use a standard US format (no picture, date of birth, religion, or marital status).
  • Cover letter: A one-page document outlining your motivation, qualifications, and experience.
  • Proposal: Please include the following three sections:
    • Story proposals: Please include a short description of the stories you plan to cover (about 200 words each), and whom you plan to contact for interviews.
    • Publication plan: Specify your plan for publication (language and target publication).
    • Social media: Briefly explain how you plan to engage on social media with the Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC in the course of your fellowship.
  • Work samples: Please submit two work samples. If your previous work is not in English or German, please also provide a brief summary of each of your work samples.

Please include your story proposal(s), travel itinerary, social media engagement section, and work samples in the same file as your cover letter, and upload them all as one file. If your work samples are other forms of media (e.g. video) please email us and we will make accommodations.

Click here to submit your application.

For questions, please contact Carl Roberts at carl.roberts[at]us.boell.org.

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