Arthur F. Burns Fellowship: A Unique Opportunity for Journalists

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Program gives 20 promising journalists from Germany, the United States and Canada the opportunity to gain professional and personal experience in the partner country. Fellows work for two months in a host media organization of their choice, learning about news operations in a foreign setting and serving as foreign correspondents for their home media. The fellowship provides journalists the opportunity to conduct in-depth reporting and gain first-hand knowledge of politics, business, and culture in the host country, while becoming fully integrated into the day-to-day business of the host newsroom.

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship is an esteemed exchange program that provides journalists with the opportunity to enhance their reporting skills while gaining firsthand experience in a different country. This program facilitates a nine-week exchange, sending journalists from the United States and Canada to Germany, while German journalists travel to North America.

Program Details

• Applications Open: January 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025

• Program Duration: July 28, 2025 – September 30, 2025

• Program Type: Exchange

About the Fellowship

This highly competitive fellowship enables journalists to work within a foreign media organization, fostering a deeper understanding of international journalism and transatlantic relations. Participants not only produce reports for their host media but also share their experiences with home audiences, expanding their journalistic perspective.

The impact of the program is long-lasting, with 90% of alumni acknowledging its positive influence on their careers, and 80% advancing to senior positions in leading media outlets such as The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Deutsche Welle, and Der Spiegel. Moreover, over 40% of alumni currently work as foreign correspondents in 20 different countries.

By fostering a cultural and professional exchange, the fellowship contributes to improving the quality of international journalism and strengthening transatlantic ties.

Program Structure

1. Orientation Week in Washington, D.C. (July 28 – August 3, 2025)

   • Participants engage with media and government representatives to discuss contemporary global and media issues.

   • The orientation fosters collaboration among journalists from different countries and provides insights into transatlantic affairs.

2. Eight-Week Exchange Program (August 4 – September 30, 2025)

   • North American journalists undergo two weeks of language training before joining their German host media organizations.

   • German fellows directly integrate into newsrooms across the United States and Canada.

   • Participants work as temporary journalists at various media outlets, producing news for both their host and home organizations.

Application Requirements

The fellowship is open to journalists from the U.S., Canada, and Germany who meet the following criteria:

• Age requirement: 21-40 years (for North American applicants) and 21-37 years (for German applicants).

• Must be employed at a recognized media organization (newspaper, magazine, radio, TV, news agency) or work as a freelance journalist.

• Should have at least two years of professional journalism experience.

• A strong interest in transatlantic affairs and international journalism.

• German proficiency is encouraged but not mandatory.

Financial Support

• North American Fellows: Receive a $5,500 stipend, covering travel and part of the living expenses.

• German Fellows: Receive 4,000 EUR, plus 1,500 EUR for travel expenses.

• The program does not provide additional salaries, as fellows remain affiliated with their home media organizations.

Required Application Materials

• Completed Application Form

• Resume/CV

• Two Work Samples (written, audio, or video format)

• Letter of Recommendation (from an editor endorsing the applicant)

• For Freelancers: A letter from a media outlet confirming that their work will be published

Application Process

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship offers a unique opportunity for journalists to immerse themselves in a new media environment, develop international reporting skills, and establish global professional networks. This experience enhances careers, enriches news coverage, and strengthens journalistic collaboration across borders.

Applications open on January 1, 2025, and close on March 1, 2025. Don’t miss this chance to gain unparalleled journalistic experience abroad!