Arthur F. Burns Fellowship

The program put me close to one of the biggest stories in the world, sending me to Germany amid economic warfare running in parallel with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. I crisscrossed three countries to chronicle the fallout of Europe's energy crisis, meeting wary business leaders in Düsseldorf, interviewing housing advocates in Cologne, touring a slowed-down checmical plant in The Netherlands, and exploring Berlin as it turned out the lights to save power. My dispatches figured prominently in The Wall Street Journal's coverage at a key moment.

– David Uberti, 2022 Arthur F. Burns Fellow

Applications for the 2024 Fellowship are now open. The application is open from Monday, January 1, 2024, to Friday, March 1, 2024. The 2024 Burns Fellows will be announced on Monday, April 1, 2024.

About the Fellowship

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship, ICFJ’s longest-running program, provides young and experienced journalists with the opportunity to participate in an exchange program and work for prestigious media outlets in both Germany and the United States. As fellows, reporters learn firsthand about events in their host country, write stories for local media outlets and produce broadcast programs for both host country and home audiences. When they return home, they share their experiences with colleagues and continue to cover current events, using their new skills, contacts and a deeper understanding of international relations.

When asked about their experience, 90 percent of Burns alumni respondents said the program enriched their careers and 80 percent have been promoted or joined prominent media organizations in senior positions. In addition, more than 40 program alumni now work as foreign correspondents in 20 countries for well-known news outlets including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR), CNN, Deutsche Welle, Der Spiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung.

This highly personalized and practical exchange program strengthens transatlantic relationships, expands the diversity of audiences, and improves the quality of news coverage in each country and strengthens the transatlantic relationship.

The 9-week program includes:

• One Week of Orientation in Washington D.C. (July 22, 2024 to July 27, 2024) - In July 2024, program participants attend a one-week orientation in Washington, D.C., attending meetings with prominent media and government representatives, and discussing critical issues impacting current events and media today. The orientation fosters a spirit of community among the participants and gives a foundation for understanding the importance of transatlantic relations.
• Eight-Week Exchange Program (July 27, 2024 to September 21, 2024) - Between August and September 2024, the North American fellows participate in a two-week language training before becoming embedded with German media outlets. The German fellows proceed directly to their host media in different cities throughout the United States. Over the next two months, fellows work as temporary staff members at newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations. In addition to covering local news, fellows report on events for their employers back home while learning more about their host country and its media ecosystem.

Application Requirements

This competitive application is open to U.S., Canadian and German journalists between the age of 21-40, who are employed by a newspaper, news magazine, broadcast station, news agency, or who work as freelance and/or online reporters. Applicants must demonstrate journalistic talent and a strong interest in North American-European affairs. Applicants should have at least two years of full-time journalism experience. German language proficiency is not required, but it is encouraged. 

Each North American fellow will receive a $4,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the nine-week-long fellowship in Germany. Participants also receive $1,500 for travel expenses. The program also pays for living expenses during the orientation in Washington, D.C.

Required Application Materials:

• Personal Letter: A one-page letter detailing your motivation for applying to the program, including three potential story ideas to pursue during the fellowship
• Resume/CV
• Three Work Samples: Three professional work samples, which may be in any format (written, audio, video, etc.)
• A Letter of Recommendation: A one-page letter from your editor that recommends you for the program
• A Letter of Commitment to Publish Fellowship Content
  • For Freelancers: A one-page letter from a media outlet that commits to publishing the work that you produce on this program
  • For Journalists Employed by a Media Outlet: A one-page letter from your home outlet that commits to publishing your project from the fellowship

Apply here.