2nd German-Japanese Fellowship Programme

(this information is for applicants from Japanese media. Applicants from German media, please go to the German page)

Objective – About IJP
The International Journalists’ Programmes (IJP), a non-profit organization based in Germany, has been offering fellowship programmes for freelance and permanent journalists for over 40 years. These exchange programmes allow the fellows to get to know their host country and its media landscape as a guest reporter on a bilateral basis. With the help of this programme, journalists can gain a personal impression on politics, business, culture, and everyday social life in the host country.

The various IJP fellowship programmes are supported by foundations, private sponsors plus funding from the German Foreign Office.

The Fellowship
The fellowships begin with a joint two-day mandatory introductory meeting in Berlin on June 2nd and 3rd, 2024 together with the German colleagues. A meeting with the German alumni of 2023 is scheduled during this time frame. Arrival in Berlin is recommended during the weekend for a fresh and relaxed start of the fellowship.

The German journalists will go to Japan for their two-month stay by mid-September. This planning allows the group of fellows of the year 2024 to assist each other in the respective host-country and strengthen the network as well as establish sustainable alumni connections. In addition, there might be alumni of the year 2023 who will support you during your stay abroad or colleagues back home might give useful advice for a successful fellowship.

The working phase in Germany, which usually lasts up to eight weeks, will start immediately after the orientation meeting in Berlin. The placements at German media companies will be organized in collaboration with the IJP office in Berlin and the programme manager.

A closing conference is planned to take place in Tokyo by mid-November as a joint event together with the German fellows 2024 and the Japanese alumni of the year 2023. The successful applicant will receive a one-time payment of 4,000 euros. The amount is intended to cover travel expenses, living expenses on site, and qualified health insurance abroad. A personal contribution is expected. Remuneration for the work on site is not foreseen.

Commitment and obligation after the fellowship
Six weeks after completing the fellowship, participants submit their journalistic products and an illustrated personal report of at least five pages. The texts and report will be included in a final print documentation. All fellows are invited to get involved in the IJP global alumni network beyond this program.

Application
Applications are open to all journalists between 28 and 45 years of age who work as freelancers or as permanent employees for a Japanese media company. Knowledge of the German language is not a prerequisite, however, excellent oral and understanding knowledge of English is expected and will be tested beforehand during Zoom calls.

Application portfolio
The following documents must be submitted in ONE pdf document to be sent to Johns@ijp.org. The application is due March 8th, 2024:

• curriculum vitae, including a passport size picture.
• a letter of reference from the head of department or editor-in-chief (which also supports the application, ensures leave of absence for the duration of the fellowship, if applicable, and serves as proof of journalistic activity). Plus, a statement letter of commitment to publish fellowship content at your home media.
• a list of links to relevant articles.
• a one-page motivation letter to let us know why you want to pursue a fellowship in Germany.
• a one-and-a-half-minute application video in English/recording by cell phone is sufficient, clearly outlining the motivation for the host country and the research project.
• An outline of one specific research project covering two pages is a prerequisite for a successful application, further research ideas might be just sketched briefly.

The selection will be made without recourse to legal action by a jury based on the application documents and, if necessary, a Zoom selection interview. Notifications of participation in the program will be sent out latest by end of March, 2024.

Application address
Please send inquiries about the program or application to: johns@ijp.org and cc: natsuko@ijp.org

Applications should be sent to:
IJP e.V. / Japan Program
Attn: Ms Martina Johns/ Head Asia department
Johns@ijp.org
Subject line: Applicant name/ 2024

More information: https://www.ijp.org/en/fellowships/the-asian-fellowship