Are you a journalist facing challenging conditions in a country with limited freedom of the press? Do you want to take a break to improve, learn new skills, and connect with fellow journalists worldwide? The Rest & Resilience Fellowship, organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany and the Taz Panter Foundation, offers a unique six-month opportunity for journalists from restricted-press countries. Based in Berlin, this program allows journalists to break from difficult environments and focus on personal and professional growth.

Launched in 2015, the Rest & Resilience Fellowship is designed to help journalists recover from high-stress working conditions and find renewed inspiration. Each year, two fellows are selected to live and study in Berlin, where they can attend workshops, network with international journalists, and access psychosocial support. The program also allows fellows to step back from public life if needed, allowing them to prioritize their well-being and professional development.

This fellowship offers a supportive environment for journalists dedicated to press freedom who work under challenging conditions to re-energize, gain new perspectives, and build resilience. Applications for the 2025 fellowship are now open, inviting eligible journalists to apply and take a transformative career step forward.

Key Details and Dates

• Application Deadline: November 25th, 2024, at 11:59 pm (CET)
• Fellowship Period: May 1st – October 31st, 2025
• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Organizers: Reporters Without Borders Germany (RSF) and the Taz Panter Foundation
• Eligible Countries: Countries with restricted freedom of press and information
• Eligible Gender: Male/Female
• Target Group: Professional journalists with challenging work environments
• Focus Area: Journalism and press freedom
• Number of Opportunities: 2 fellowships
• Duration: Six months
• Program Language: English
• Host Country: Germany (Berlin)

Benefits of the Fellowship

The RSF will provide a fully-funded fellowship program for selected applicants as follows:

• Fully furnished apartment in Berlin for six months
• Visa and travel expenses are covered
• A monthly grant of €1,000 to cover living expenses
• Health insurance during the fellowship period
• Psychosocial support and counseling services are available as needed
• Access to a range of workshops, including digital safety training, stress management, and professional skill-building
• Opportunities for networking with German and international journalists
• Participation in language classes and access to editorial offices in Germany

Eligibility Criteria

The requirements for the RSF Rest and Resilience Fellowship are highlighted below:

• Applicants must be a professional journalist from a country with restricted press freedom
• Several years of relevant experience in journalism
• A strong personal reason for participating in the fellowship, with specific goals for professional development or personal reorientation
• Ability to return to the home country after the fellowship period
• Proficiency in English, sufficient for professional communication
• A valid passport (at least 12 months validity remaining or renewable independently)
• Be in good health and have the ability to manage daily affairs in a foreign environment

Required Documents

• Completed and signed online application form
• A current passport scan (valid for at least 12 months or renewable)
• A tabular curriculum vitae (CV) detailing relevant work experience
• A letter of motivation (1-2 pages) explaining the motivation for applying, including factors impacting the applicant’s work environment and plans for using the fellowship to affect future work positively
• Applications must be sent securely through encrypted email if both sender and recipient use Protonmail

How to Apply?

To apply for the Rest and Resilience Fellowship:

• Complete the online application form, which is available at the application link below.
• Prepare all required documents in PDF format and upload them via the application portal.
• Apply by November 25th, 2024, at 11:59 pm (CET).
• Please submit your application securely. Email is only end-to-end encrypted if both sender and recipient use Protonmail. You can create a free Protonmail account here: https://proton.me.
• For submissions or questions, contact fellowship-rsf-taz@proton.me.

Apply Now

Further details and information regarding this fellowship are available on the official RSF website.

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