RSF Berlin Fellowship Programme

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany will once again invite journalists from countries with restricted freedom of the press and information to Berlin for our annual fellowship program.  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.

Fellowship programme

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 organisation
• 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-defence 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.

How to apply

If you match the eligibility criteria outlined above, you can apply for the 2026 RSF Fellowship Program until Thursday, January 15th, 2026. Please register here to fill out the online application form and upload the required documents.

Please be prepared to submit the following:

• A completed online application form
• A scan of your passport
• CV
• Contact information for two professional references

The deadline for applications is Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 23:59 (CET).

For more information, please visit this page