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, including 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 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 maintaining 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.
WHAT RSF GERMANY PROPOSES
In addition to the program outlined above, RSF will cover:
- Visa and travel expenses
- Assistance with all visa-related matters
- A furnished studio apartment in Berlin for the duration of the fellowship
- A monthly stipend for living expenses
- Travel and health insurance
- Public transportation costs within Germany
- Travel to networking events and/or journalism conferences
- A co-working space in a Berlin media hub
- Touristic and social activities
PERIOD OF STAY IN BERLIN
The fellowship starts at the beginning of June 2026 and ends in November 2026. The exact dates for travel to and from Berlin will be coordinated with the selected participants. RSF will assist with obtaining the necessary visa; however, selection for the program does not automatically guarantee a positive or timely visa process.
WHO CAN APPLY: ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
The RSF Fellowships are open to working journalists with at least three years of professional experience. This includes journalists working as full-time staff, freelancers, or citizen journalists in any type of medium. We actively seek to promote diversity and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Expectations include:
- Openness to candid peer exchange on professional challenges and experiences
- Sharing acquired knowledge with colleagues in the home region
- Returning to the country or region of residence after the fellowship
- Fluent English reading, writing, and speaking skills
Please be aware that:
- Applicants must demonstrate the possibility of returning for visa purposes
- Only journalists working in independent media will be considered
- Investigative journalists covering human rights–related topics will receive positive consideration
THE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR DIGITAL SELF-DEFENSE
- Operational security and risk assessments
- Online identity management and anonymization tools
- Secure communication and conferencing
- Password, account, and social media security
- Device security for computers and mobile phones
- Website security for media outlets under attack
- Secure data storage and encryption
- Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
- Protection against digital violence, including doxing and impersonation
HOW TO APPLY
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.
The deadline for applications is Thursday, January 15th, 2026 at 23:59 (CET).
PARTNERS & COOPERATIONS
The RSF Fellowship Program is conducted in close collaboration with taz Panter Stiftung.
To apply to the taz Panter Foundation “Rest & Resilience Fellowship”, please visit their online application portal.
The RSF Berlin Fellowship Program is funded by the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises, as well as the generous support of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany’s members and donors.