Call for Applications: Transatlantic Media Fellowship Program

Deadline: 1-Apr-23

The Heinrich Boell Foundation is now accepting applications for its Transatlantic Media Fellowship program to support well-researched transatlantic journalism.

As in previous years, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Washington, DC, will give a select number of journalists from the United States, Canada, and Germany the opportunity for on-the-ground reporting relevant to the foundation’s work on climate & energy policy, democracy & social policy, technology & digital policy, and foreign & security policy. Foundation accepts applications for either travel-based or virtual research and reporting.

This year Foundation will broaden the understanding of the Atlantic and open the Transatlantic Media Fellowship to journalists from Africa and Latin America. The focus will be on Global Development Policy issues related to the Global South and the USA/Germany. For those interested, please see the description in the Issue Areas section.

What They Offer

• A stipend of $3,500 for an on-the-ground fellowship (including transatlantic travel); OR
• A stipend of $1,500 for a digital fellowship (virtual interviews, no travel).

Issue Areas

• Climate & Energy Policy.
  • Applicants in this category should pitch stories on climate and energy policy/issues in the United States, Canada, or in EU member states. Possible topics include:
    • Climate agendas and targets.
    • Green stimulus packages.
    • Phase-out of fossil fuels and nuclear power.
    • Transformation towards renewable energy.
    • Sustainable transportation.
    • Environmental justice.
    • Methane emissions.
    • Climate change litigation.
    • Energy security.
• Democracy
  • Applicants in this category should pitch stories on challenges to democracy in the United States, Canada or in EU member states. Possible topics include:
    • Challenges to democracy, such as voter suppression, political radicalization and violence, attacks on civil rights, education and free speech.
    • Migration (climate-induced migration is of particular interest).
    • LGBTQ+ issues, gender equality, and racial justice.
    • Debates on historical reconciliation (Vergangenheitsaufarbeitung).
    • Social, democratic and economic reforms and political changes under the Biden administration.
    • Social, democratic and economic reform and political changes under the Traffic Light coalition.
• Technology & Digital Policy
  • Applicants in this category should pitch stories on technology and digital policy in North America (United States and/or Canada) or in EU member states. Possible topics include:
    • Use of digital technologies for sustainability and/or public interest (e.g. AI solutions to combat climate change, open data/open source solutions for public service delivery)
    • Digital governance (e.g. platform regulation, ethical use of AI, privacy/data flows)
    • Disinformation and misinformation online
    • Feminist digital policy approaches
    • Emerging technologies, digital innovation and/or technological competition with China.
• Foreign & Security Policy
  • Applicants in this category should pitch stories on foreign policy topics relevant to the United States, Canada, Germany and the EU. Possible topics include:
    • The future of European security.
    • EU neighborhood policy in the wake of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
    • Migration to Europe and the United States.
    • The inclusion of climate change in US and European foreign and security policy thinking.
    • Democratic backsliding and the erosion of democratic institutions in the EU and in Europe’s neighborhood.
    • Feminist foreign policy approaches.
  • Foundation cannot support travel to Ukraine at this time.
• Special: Global Development Policy
  • Applicants should be:
    • From Africa or Latin America and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about the United States and/or Europe.
  • Foundation will give special consideration to journalists
    • From regional or local media outlets.
    • From diverse backgrounds who can offer lesser-heard perspectives.
    • Who may not otherwise have the opportunity to conduct transatlantic research.
  • Journalists are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements. Due to the particular challenges facing Global South participants, the stipend for each fellow in this policy area will be $4,500.
  • Applicants in this category should pitch stories on global development policy as it relates to the United States, Canada, or EU member states. Possible topics include:
    • Raw materials and mining for the renewable energy transition in the US and EU.
    • Digital transformation and digital connectivity.
    • Urban violence and inequality in the US, Africa, and Latin America.
    • Reform of the international financing institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund).
    • Slavery, inequality, and economic development.
    • Environmental justice and preserving the world’s biodiversity.

Eligibility Criteria

• Foundation seeks journalists with a strong track record of publications who offer new perspectives on transatlantic policy debates. Fellowships are open to journalists in any medium.
• Applications for the issue area Global Development Policy have a special set of criteria. Please look there to determine your eligibility.
• Applicants should be:
  • Based in the United States or Canada and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about Europe; OR
  • Based in Germany and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting about the United States or Canada.
• Foundation will give special consideration to journalists
  • From regional or local media outlets
  • From diverse backgrounds who can offer lesser-heard perspectives.
  • Who may not otherwise have the opportunity to conduct transatlantic research.
• Journalists are responsible for their travel and visa arrangements.

For more information, visit Heinrich Boell Foundation.