Reporter ohne Grenzen

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2026

RSF BERLIN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: EMPOWERING & PROTECTING JOURNALISTS IN THE DIGITAL FIELD

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany will once again invite journalists from countries with restricted freedom of press and information to Berlin for our annual fellowship program. Please apply online starting December 15th, 2025 until January 15th, 2026.

The RSF Fellowship Program is designed to provide a safe space for journalists:
Fellows will be able to take time off from their daily obligations to recover from their difficult working conditions. They will learn new skills to better protect themselves by taking part in a comprehensive safety training program.

THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

The 2026 RSF Fellowship runs from June until November and encompasses:

A comprehensive, hands-on training program in digital security, incl. individual risk assessment
Workshops on safety and resilience building for journalists covering sensitive issues
Peer-to-peer exchange within a cohort of colleagues from different regions and professional backgrounds
Insights into the activities of Reporters Without Borders, a globally-active human rights organization
Networking with German media professionals and newsrooms
Opportunities to meet with relevant stakeholders of German civil society and policy fields
Holistic support for individual psychosocial needs

We expect fellows to be available for all program activities. On average, they should be able to spend up to approximately 20 to 25 hours per week on training, workshops and activities. There will be breaks in programming that can be individually tailored for travel or work purposes, but keeping a full-time editorial schedule while participating in the fellowship will not be possible.

The fellowship aims to empower journalists to become multipliers for digital self-defense for their colleagues and networks of media professionals. Participants are expected to dedicate themselves to conducting at least one workshop or training session in their country of residence after completion of the fellowship.

Call for Applications

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2026

THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

ONLINE APPLICATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Wishing you the best of luck with your application - we look forward to hearing from you!

Call for Applications

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS 2026

THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

WHAT WE OFFER

PERIOD OF STAY IN BERLIN

WHO CAN APPLY: ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS

THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DIGITAL SELF-DEFENSE FOR JOURNALISTS

HOW TO APPLY

SELECTION PROCESS

PARTNERS & COOPERATIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I include letters of reference with my application?

How do I know if my application has been received?

When will I hear back from RSF?

I have questions about the fellowship program, who can I contact?

I have been selected as a fellow. Can my family come with me?

I have not been selected. Can I receive individual feedback on my application?

What language skills are required for participation in the program?

Can I carry out my regular newsroom duties while in Berlin?

I am a human rights defender and civil society advocate - can I apply?

Can I work for RSF as a journalist?

Do I have to appear in public to promote the fellowship program?

Am I still eligible if a colleague of mine was an RSF fellow in the past?

Can I reapply if I have already applied in the past or participated in another RSF fellowship program?

What about the other RSF fellowship programs?

Is returning home at the end of the fellowship mandatory?

I am a journalist in exile and do not live in my country of origin. Can I still apply?

I am a journalist in exile in Germany. Can I still apply?

Wishing you the best of luck with your application - we look forward to hearing from you!