Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany, through its official portal, has announced the call for applications for its annual flagship “RSF Berlin Fellowship Program 2026” on Empowering & Protecting Journalists in the digital fields. A prestigious fellowship program hosted by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises. The fellowship is exclusively designed for international journalists facing digital threats, such as hacking and online monitoring, with restricted freedom of the press.
The duration of the fellowship is 6 months and will take place from June 1st, 2026, to November 30, 2026, in Berlin, Germany. The fellowship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on digital training in secure communication and risk management, participate in safety and resiliency workshops, and benefit from peer-to-peer mentoring. The RSF Berlin is calling applications from professionals in journalism from countries with restricted press freedom and digital threats. Its a full-time fellowship; selected participants will dedicate 20-25 weeks per week for the program duration.
The objective of the fellowship program is to empower journalists from restricted press freedom countries and provide them a safe space to take time off from their daily obligations, recover from challenging experiences, and acquire new skills through a comprehensive training program. The fellowship offers generous support to the participants. The RSF Berlin fellowship covers Accommodation, Travel and visa expenses, a monthly stipend, Air travel support, and more. The application window for the fellowship is currently open. The last date for the submission of the application is January 15th, 2026. Read more details about the fellowship below.
RSF Berlin Fellowship Program 2026 in Germany: Overview
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Hosted By: Reporters without Borders
- Funded By: Government of Germany
- Fellowship Dates: June – November 2026
- Duration: 6 Months
- Coverage: Fully Funded
- Application Deadline: January 15th, 2026
Also, Check: NUS Young Fellowship Programme 2026 in Singapore
Eligiblity Criteria
- The fellowship is calling for applications from Journalists, freelancers with at least 3 years of professional work experience
- Individuals from countries with restricted press freedom and digital threats
- Proficiency in the English language, both verbal and written
- Commit to full-time fellowship participation (20-25 Hours) per week
- Must return to their home countries after the fellowship
- Willing to conduct at least one training session in the home countries
- Applicants must be working in Independent media
- Preference will be given to the journalists working in the areas of crisis, corruption, labor rights, and migration
RSF Fellowship Coverage
- A competetive stipend to cover living expenses during your stay
- Comprehensive health and travel insurance
- Round-trip airfare coverage to/from Berlin, Germany
- Local transportation costs within Germany
- Travel costs for Journalism conferences and networking events
- Tourism and social activities costs
- Furnished accommodation in Berlin for the entire duration
- Visa assistance/support to selected participants
- A dedicated office space in Berlin Media Hub
Professional Benefits
- Fellows will recieve specialized training on secure communication, risk management, and digital security
- Attend intensive workshops on safety protocols and stress management
- Networking opportunities with renowned German Journalists and civil society actors
- Culture immersion through exclusive cultural, social, and touristic activities
Required Documents
Individuals need to submit the following documents with the application:
- An updated CV/Resume
- Complete Online Application
- Passport copy
- Two Professional References
- Copy of Passport
Also, Check:
- KWI Institute International Fellowship 2026-27 in Germany
- UNESCO Chair Fellowship 2026, Bolzano, Italy (Digital – Remote)
How to Apply for the 2026 RSF Fellowship Program?
The application process for the fellowship is simple. Individuals meeting the above required criteria need to visit the offical link below, register themselves, and fill out the online application. The last date for submission of the application is Thursday, Janaury 15th, 2026, at 23:59.
To apply and for more details, visit the offical link below.
