U.S.-Austrian Journalism Exchange Fellowships

“The skills I built will definitely help me in the future - particularly the confidence to write news in German!”

– Stephanie Russell-Kraft, 2016 USAJEF Fellow

The U.S.-Austrian Journalism Exchange Fellowships fosters greater understanding and knowledge of both countries among future media leaders and their audiences by helping them overcome historical stereotypes and political misperceptions.

The program provides international experience for talented young journalists from each country. Now in its 12th year, the program has supported reporting on topics ranging from profiles of the next Austrian president to immigration issues on the U.S./Mexico border.

About the Fellowship

Each year three to six outstanding media professionals from the United States and Austria report from and travel in each other's countries as part of the U.S.-Austrian Journalism Exchange Fellowships. The seven-week program offers young print and broadcast journalists from each country the opportunity to share professional expertise with their colleagues across the Atlantic while working as "foreign correspondents" for their hometown news organizations. 

Before individual Fellowships begin, the selected U.S. and Austrian journalists participate in a joint orientation in Washington, D.C. The U.S. Fellow(s) then travel to Vienna, and the Austrian Fellows spend a day in New York. The orientation sessions include meetings with prominent media, business and government representatives.

Fellows work for six weeks at host newspapers, magazines, and radio and television stations under the supervision of an editor. 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. At the end of the program, Austrian Fellows reunite with their U.S. colleagues in Vienna for a reception and final program evaluation.

The program is administered jointly by ICFJ in Washington, D.C., and the Kuratorium für Journalistenausbildung (KfJ) in Salzburg, Austria. The program is funded by donations from Austrian government and U.S. government agencies, and private-sector corporations and foundations.

Apply to the Fellowship

The competitive program is open to U.S. and Austrian journalists between the ages of 21 and 38 who are employed by a newspaper, news magazine, broadcast station or news agency. Freelance journalists may apply also. Applicants must have three or more years of journalism experience, a demonstrated a talent for reporting and storytelling, and a strong interest in U.S.‑European affairs. Foreign language proficiency is not required, but it is strongly preferred and will be taken into consideration during the selection process.

Fellows receive adequate living stipends during their six-week long assignments. The program also pays directly for international and domestic travel expenses, living expenses in the U.S. and Austria, insurance costs and transportation allowances.


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