The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC, invites applications for the Transatlantic Media Fellowship. This prestigious opportunity for journalists committed to in-depth, high-quality transatlantic reporting supports investigative journalism on critical policy issues, offering selected fellows the chance to conduct on-the-ground or virtual research.

For 2026, the program is open to journalists based in the United States, Canada, and Germany, covering topics aligned with the foundation’s key focus areas:

• Democracy and Social Policy
• Technology and Digital Policy
• Foreign and Security Policy
• Climate and Environmental Policy

Additionally, journalists from Africa, Asia, and Latin America are encouraged to apply for fellowships centered on Global Development Policy and Digital Policy, with a focus on the relationship between the Global South and the US, Canada, and/or Germany.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: March 13, 2026
• Funding Type: Fellowship stipend
• Organizer: Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Eligible Countries: United States, Canada, Germany, Africa, Asia, Latin America
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Journalists with a strong publication record
• Focus Areas: Democracy, digital policy, foreign and security policy, climate and environmental policy
• Program Language: English/German
• Host Country: Remote

Possible topics include:

• Raw materials, mining, and the global supply chain for the renewable energy transition or the digital economy in the US and EU
• Digital transformation and digital connectivity (e.g. digital infrastructure development)
• Reform of the international financial institutions (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc.)
• Forced labor, inequality, and economic development
• Global Majority perspectives and Western policy spaces
• Democratic multilateralism
• Postcolonial Development
• Environmental justice and preserving the world’s biodiversity
• Conflict and its effects on development in the Global South
• AI, including ecological and climate impacts

Benefits and Financial Aids

What does the fellowship provide?

• A $4,000 stipend for on-the-ground research, including transatlantic travel
• A $1,500 stipend for digital fellowships (virtual research and interviews)
• Opportunity to publish work in respected media outlets
• Engagement with the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s network and social media platforms

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply?

Experienced Journalists from any medium with a strong publication record and fresh perspectives on transatlantic policy debates can apply for this fellowship program. Applicants must meet the following location-based requirements:

Location-Based Eligibility:

• North America (US and Canada): Must be motivated to research and report on Europe.
• Germany: Must be motivated to research and report on the US or Canada.
• Africa, Latin America, and Asia: The focus must be on global development or digital policy related to the US, Canada, or Europe.

Priority Consideration for:

• Freelancers or journalists at local/regional media outlets.
• Those offering underrepresented perspectives.
• Journalists with limited access to transatlantic research opportunities.

Note: Journalists are responsible for their arrangements.

Additionally, applicants should also consider the following topics:

For Applicants in North America and Germany:

• Digital Policy: Topics like online disinformation, feminist digital policy, AI, privacy, and data flows.
• Foreign and Security Policy: Themes on democracy, European defense, the war in Ukraine, and feminist foreign policy.
• Climate and Environmental Policy: Issues such as climate resilience, energy systems, pollution, and extractive industries.
• Democracy: Challenges like political radicalization, civil rights, migration, and historical reconciliation.

For Applicants in Africa, Latin America, and Asia:

Global Development and Digital Policy ($4,000 stipend): Topics include raw materials, digital connectivity, labor rights, environmental justice, and AI’s impact.

Fellowship Expectations

The fellowship expectations from the fellows are as follows:

Format:

• One in-depth investigative piece OR
• Two to three shorter articles OR
• Multimedia content (podcasts, videos, photo essays)

Timeline:

• Research draft & travel completed by October 1, 2026
• Publication in a quality media outlet by the end of 2026
• Minimum requirement: Publish on our website

Publication: Fellows must secure publication or provide a completed, ready-to-publish story

Social Media: Engage with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC, on Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn to document and promote their work

Required Documents

Fellows must submit the following documents for their applications:

• Resume: Standard U.S. format (no picture, date of birth, religion, or marital status)
• Cover Letter: One-page document outlining motivation, qualifications, and experience
• Proposal: Must include:
  • Story ideas (200 words each), interview plans, and required travel
  • Publication plan (language and target publication)
  • Social media engagement strategy
• Work Samples: Two previous pieces (with summaries if not in English or German)

How to Apply?

• Prepare all required documents in one file (cover letter, proposal, work samples, and resume).
• Apply before the deadline
• If your work samples include multimedia formats (videos, podcasts), contact the foundation for submission accommodations.
• For questions, reach out to Carl Roberts (Head of Communications) at roberts@us.boell.org.

Apply Now

Further details and information regarding this fellowship are available on the official Heinrich Boll Foundation website.

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