2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Germany

5 Young Professional Journalist Program

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
8-10 Months
Award Type
Special Study/Research
Specialized Grant Types
  • Journalism
Award Profile

Fulbright Germany’s journalists program provides talented early career U.S. journalists the opportunity to come to Germany for a research and practice-oriented experience and to gain insights into the political, economic, cultural, and social fabric of the host country. The 10-month stay starts in September and typically begins with the grantees undertaking individual research, followed by one or more internships with German media institutions. The website https://medialandscapes.org/country/germany offers further information on Germany’s dynamic media market.

Fulbright Germany strives to embed Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in all aspects of its work. Applications are open to all individuals regardless of their race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or belief, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity. Fulbright Germany seeks and encourages the involvement of people from traditionally underrepresented communities in its programs, activities and partnerships, and staffing and operations.

Please refer to the Fulbright Germany website for detailed information on the grant benefits.

Grant Length
8-10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

8 - 10 months for Bachelor's and Master's Degree Levels.

Grants begin in mid-September, usually with an orientation meeting in Germany.

Orientation
Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation

Pre-Departure and In-Country Orientation: Grantees will participate in an online pre-departure orientation meeting and also participate in an in-country in-person orientation meeting held by Fulbright Germany.

Candidate Profile

Applicants should be beginning professional journalists or recent graduates in journalism or related fields with no more than 7 years of professional experience.

Candidates pursue research on a self-directed and Germany-related project of their choice at a German university or at other relevant institutions. They should demonstrate clear project objectives and ideas of how to approach their project methodically, including the necessary resources (institutions, libraries, archives) and individuals that will contribute to the success of the project.

Candidates who have strong intercultural and leadership skills, and who have experience with and motivation for community engagement, are particularly encouraged. Adaptability, resilience, and openness are a requirement.

Applicants chosen as Semi-Finalists will need to submit work samples to Fulbright Germany.

For specific requirements regarding these work samples please see the Special Application Instructions below.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
4 Months

Applicants already enrolled in a master’s program in Germany, or who have already begun their academic program in Germany, are not eligible for Fulbright funding.

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
Special Application Instructions

In your Fulbright online application, please select Young Professional Journalist from the Award Name drop-down menu to be considered for this award.

Upon notification in January, semi-finalists must submit five journalistic work samples to Fulbright Germany for the selection committees. Please read carefully the description of required work samples:

  • must be journalistic and published recently (within the 12 months preceding the application deadline in October)
  • must show the coherence between the applicant's previous work and the project to be pursued while in Germany
  • may include a mix of formats as long as the total number of pieces submitted does not exceed five
  • must include the title of the piece, the date of publication, name of media, and the author
  • a list of the five work samples must be included at the end of the Statement of Grant Purpose
  • printed work samples must be scanned and together with digital work samples merged into one pdf-document
  • this document has to be sent to Fulbright Germany via email to: americanprograms@fulbright.de
  • applicants must not send any additional application documents to Fulbright Germany
  • deadline for submission is January 15, 2024

 For questions, please contact Fulbright Germany via email: americanprograms@fulbright.de

Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Novice

German language skills need to meet the required language proficiency to pursue the envisaged project.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline

Applicants are responsible for arranging their own affiliation with higher education or research host institutions in Germany.

Before beginning the application process, candidates should research the best match to pursue research or to study, taking into consideration the faculty, achievements, publications, and research of the relevant research institute or university department, as well as their locations.

Applicants are required to solicit a meaningful letter of invitation/support from their host institution and include it in their Fulbright application. The letter should make clear reference to the applicant's project, explain the institution's motivation for hosting the applicant, confirm the feasibility of the project, and outline the cooperation and support which the host institution will offer to help achieve the applicant's goals. The invitation letter is a prerequisite for the affiliation/matriculation with the host institution as a visiting/non-degree-seeking student or researcher. The host institution (either university or research institute) must also provide documentation of affiliated student/researcher status in order for the grantee to apply and receive the required residence permit for Germany.

In general, candidates are recommended to consult with the international offices of their intended host institutions regarding matriculation/affiliation requirements for Fulbright grantees.  

All designated grantees must be officially affiliated/associated with the host institution be it a research institute or one of the 400 accredited German academic institutions. This may either be a full student (visiting/non-degree seeking) matriculation or a researcher status. The matriculation at a university facilitates access to university resources, public transportation passes, health insurance, and, most importantly, the residence permit.  Affiliation with a research institute may provide the candidates with office and lab space, computer facilities, internet connection, library access, and help with securing a residency permit. The host institution (either university or research institute) must provide documentation of affiliated student/researcher status in order for the grantee to apply and receive the required residence permit for Germany.

Grantees usually spend the first months of their grant studying and conducting independent research, followed by one or more internships or guest journalist positions at German media outlets or publishers. It is the sole responsibility of the grantee to secure an internship, if needed Fulbright Germany offers support in connecting grantees with helpful contacts.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits
Housing Arrangements

Applicants are responsible for their own housing arrangements and costs.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available
Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
https://www.fulbright.de/programs-for-u-s-americans/journalists/young-professional-journalist-program
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Fulbright Germany : americanprograms@fulbright.de
Additional Online Resources
Alumni reports are available in the “Our Fulbrighters” section of the Fulbright Germany website: : https://www.fulbright.de/news/our-fulbrighters
What is Fulbright Germany?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dImOplb6hWk