Arthur F. Burns Fellowship

The program put me close to one of the biggest stories in the world, sending me to Germany amid economic warfare running in parallel with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I crisscrossed three countries to chronicle the fallout of Europe's energy crisis, meeting wary business leaders in Düsseldorf, interviewing housing advocates in Cologne, touring a slowed-down chemical plant in The Netherlands, and exploring Berlin as it turned out the lights to save power. My dispatches figured prominently in The Wall Street Journal's coverage at a key moment.

– David Uberti, 2022 Arthur F. Burns Fellow

The application deadline is Feb. 1 for German Fellows and March 1 for North American fellows. Please see below for application instructions.

About the Fellowship

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship gives working journalists a new opportunity to sharpen their reporting and writing skills, while learning about another country and transatlantic relations. This exchange sends U.S. and Canadian journalists to work in Germany for two months, while sending German journalists to the United States or Canada. The impact is extensive and long-lasting. As fellows learn first-hand about their host country and media outlet, they write stories and produce broadcasts for both host and home audiences. When they return home, they share their experiences with colleagues and continue to cover current events with new skills and contacts and a greater understanding of international relations. The Fellowship benefits participating journalists over the life of their careers, as well as the audience for whom they write or broadcast. 

When asked about their experience, 90 percent of Burns alumni respondents said the program enriched their careers, and 80 percent have been promoted or joined prominent media organizations in senior positions. In addition, more than 40 percent of alumni now work as foreign correspondents in 20 countries for well-known news outlets, including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR), CNN, Deutsche Welle, Der Spiegel, and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

By providing talented young American, German, and Canadian journalists the opportunity to live and work in each other's country, this highly personalized and practical exchange program makes a significant impact on the quality of news coverage in each country and the transatlantic relationship.

The 9-week program includes:

• One Week of Orientation (July 27, 2026 to August 1, 2026) - Program participants attend a one-week orientation in Washington, D.C. or Berlin, attending meetings with prominent media and government representatives, and discussing critical issues impacting current events and media today. The orientation fosters a spirit of community among the participants and gives a foundation for understanding the importance of transatlantic relations.
• Eight-Week Exchange Program (August 2, 2026 to September 30, 2026) -  The North American fellows participate in a one-week language training (Aug. 3-7) before becoming embedded with German media outlets. The German fellows proceed directly to their host media in different cities throughout the United States and Canada. Over the next two months, fellows work as temporary staff members at newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations. In addition to covering local news, fellows report on events for their employers back home while learning more about their host country and its media ecosystem. 

Application Requirements

This competitive application is open to U.S., Canadian and German journalists between the age of 21-40, who are employed by a newspaper, news magazine, broadcast station, news agency, or who work as freelance and/or online reporters. Applicants must demonstrate journalistic talent and a strong interest in North American-European affairs. Applicants should have at least two years of full-time journalism experience. German language proficiency is not required, but it is encouraged. 

Each North American fellow will receive a $4,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the nine-week-long fellowship in Germany. Participants also receive $1,500 for travel expenses. The program also pays for living expenses during the orientation week.

Required Application Materials:

• Cover letter including why you are applying and what reporting projects you hope
  to accomplish while on the Fellowship; any international experience that you
  have—either personal or professional; any German language skills; and your
  citizenship and birthdate.
• Resume/CV
• Two professional work samples, which may be in any format (written, audio, video, etc.)
• A Letter of Recommendation: A one-page letter from your editor that recommends you for the program
• For Freelancers: A one-page letter from a media outlet that commits to publishing the work that you produce on this program

For U.S. and Canadian journalists, please send the above materials to burns@icfj.org
by March 1 to be considered for the 2026 Burns Fellowship. 

For German journalists, the deadline is Feb. 1. Please visit IJP’s website for application instructions: https://ijp.org/austauschprogramme/burns/