Deadline: 2 June 2017
Heinrich Böll Foundation is inviting applicants for its Transatlantic Media Fellowships that support well-researched transatlantic journalism. Each year, the HBF sponsors a select number of journalists from the US and Europe for a five-day transatlantic trip to research stories relevant to the foundation’s work on climate and energy policy, democracy and social policy, or foreign and security policy.
The Fellowships are divided into three categories:
- Democracy & Social Policy Fellowship
- Climate & Energy Fellowship
- Foreign & Security Policy Fellowship
Democracy & Social Policy Fellowship
HBF’s work on Democracy and Social Policy explores the challenges to US and European democracies: how do developments such as the rise of right-wing populist parties across Europe, loss of trust in political institutions, the growing appeal of anti-immigrant rhetoric, a global refugee crisis, rapid digitalization, shrinking civil society spaces and increasingly hostile media environments impact our societies and test the strength of our democracies? Journalists interested in applying for this category of the Transatlantic Media Fellowships should aim to contribute to a nuanced transatlantic policy dialogue on the challenges and opportunities for Western democracies.
Priorities
Applicants will be asked to pitch stories related to the following questions:
- Journalism in a hostile media environment: how are journalists and media outlets adapting to hostile political environments and to the challenge of targeted disinformation campaigns or fake news in the US and Europe?
- Refugee integration: How is refugee integration working in Germany, more than one year after the country opened its borders to more than one million asylum seekers? The Foundation is especially interested in stories investigating the condition of vulnerable populations (women, unaccompanied minors, LGBTQ, the disabled, a potentially growing undocumented population, etc.).
- Civil society resistance movements: What does the civil society resistance to the new US administration look like, particularly outside major cities? Similarly, what does civil resistance in Europe look like, particularly in countries experiencing right-wing and authoritarian movements like Poland, Hungary or Turkey?
Climate & Energy Fellowship
Europe and the United States have embarked on ambitious transitions toward a low carbon economy where great emphasis is placed on the role of increased energy efficiency and renewable energy in securing economic opportunities for business and industry. The goal of the Transatlantic Climate & Energy Media Fellowship is to familiarize energy and climate journalists and bloggers from Germany and the US with experiences and policy solutions from across the atlantic.
Priorities
Applicants will be asked to pitch stories related to the following questions:
- Energy transition and low carbon economy: How do Europe and the United States develop policies to increase energy efficiency and expedite the deployment of renewable energy sources? Which efforts can be seen on the national, state and local level? What role does civil society play in driving climate and energy policy forward?
- Phase-out of coal and a just transition for coal communities: What does a just transition away from coal look like on the ground? How can coal communities in the US and Europe reinvent themselves and create new jobs and business opportunities?
Foreign & Security Policy Fellowship
HBF North America’s work on Foreign and Security Policy explores the challenges of transatlantic relations and particularly the cooperation of the US and the EU and its member states in international affairs. The program specifically focuses on democratic governance and conflict resolution in the European neighborhood. Journalists interested in applying for a media fellowship in this category should aim to contribute to a nuanced discussion on the future of transatlantic relations, particularly in the area of international security.
Priorities
Applicants will be asked to pitch stories related to the following questions:
- Perception of Europe and its role in international affairs: Research could e.g. focus on: How is Europe perceived by Americans particularly outside major US cities (e.g. as weak power, reliable US partner, or competitor in international affairs)? To what extent do Americans believe in the importance of a close alliance with Europe? This category applies for European journalists travelling to the US.
- Implications of US troop reductions in Europe: Research could e.g. focus on: What are the consequences of the US troop reduction on the local level in Europe? For example, how has the presence of US troops in Europe shaped the image of the US? This category applies for US journalists travelling to Europe.
Funding Information
The Foundation will offer an honorarium of $3500, partially paid in advance to cover all costs related to the project (travel, accommodation and board) and partially paid after completion of the reporting.
Eligibility Criteria
Heinrich Böll Foundation seeks journalists with a strong track record of publications, working in any medium, who offer new perspectives on transatlantic policy debates.
Eligible journalists should:
- be based in the US and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in the European Union and/or Turkey.
- be based in an EU member state and demonstrate a strong motivation for engaging in research and reporting in the US.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply online via given website.
Eligible Countries: United States, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
For more information, please visit Heinrich Böll Foundation.