FASPE Journalism Fellowship 2027: Fully Funded Two-Week Ethics Programme for Journalism Students and Early-Career Journalists in Germany and Poland

Overview

The FASPE Journalism Fellowship is an international programme for graduate students with journalism experience and early-career journalists who want to examine professional ethics, ethical leadership, responsibility, media power, and the role of journalists in democratic society. Bringing a small cohort of approximately 13 to 16 Journalism Fellows to Germany and Poland, the intensive two-week programme combines seminars, historical site visits, interdisciplinary discussion, and sustained reflection. For the 2027 cycle, the fellowship runs from June 18, 2027, to July 2, 2027.

The programme uses the history of professionals working in Germany and Europe during the Nazi period as an ethical framework for contemporary professional life rather than serving as a Holocaust studies course or genocide-prevention programme. Topics covered include journalistic complicity, the impact of technology, electoral politics, advocacy journalism, normalizing aberrant behavior, disinformation, and access journalism. Fellows travel alongside participants in medicine and clergy leadership to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants generally fall into one of three pathways:

• Graduate Students with Journalism Experience: Enrolled in any graduate programme, possessing journalism experience, and planning to work as a journalist.
• Bachelor's Graduates Working as Journalists: Completed an undergraduate degree and currently working as journalists.
• Graduate-Degree Holders Working as Journalists: Completed a graduate degree and currently working as journalists.

Candidates generally should have no more than 10 years of total professional experience. Preference is given to candidates whose journalism has been published or aired by a recognized news organization. Applicants do not need to be U.S. citizens or residents, and the programme welcomes eligible candidates of all backgrounds regardless of race, religion, gender, or ideology.

Benefits

The Fellowship is fully funded to ensure a candidate's financial circumstances do not determine participation. Covered expenses include:

• Round-trip economy-class airfare to and from Europe (including travel support for participants traveling from outside the United States)
• Programme transportation in Germany and Poland
• Hotel accommodation
• Admission costs for programme visits and programme materials
• Group meals and pocket money for meals not provided as part of the group programme

How to Apply

Candidates must submit their applications through the online application portal on Submittable. The application requirements include:

• A completed online application form
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• Academic transcripts from institutions of higher education attended for significant periods
• Programme-specific short essay questions for journalism candidates
• Two letters of recommendation submitted directly by recommenders through Submittable

Selected Fellows are responsible for arranging any required visas, though FASPE provides supporting documentation.

Deadline

Applications are open until January 3, 2027, at 11:59 PM ET. Two letters of recommendation are required separately and are due on January 10, 2027.