May 23 - 30, 2020
Operated by the German-American Fulbright Commission, the Berlin Capital Program invites up to 15 young U.S. journalists and students of journalism to Germany. The weeklong seminar allows them to take a closer look at the German media landscape and gain a deeper awareness of the political, economic and cultural environment in Germany and Europe. Its goals are to promote a better understanding of transatlantic issues, expand the journalists´ professional perspectives and networks, and help them better “translate” the news on this side of the Atlantic. The program is conducted in English and is fully funded through the Fulbright Commission.
As 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of German reunification, this year´s Berlin Capital Program explores the role of the media in nurturing democracy. The points for discussion with media professionals include:
The program will explore the Germans´ state of mind 30 years after reunification and investigate the many ways in which the city of Berlin has changed in its role as Germany´s capital.
Participants will also learn about and discuss continuing changes within the European Union and their impact on Germany.
For the first time this year, the Berlin Capital Program will feature a three-workday (five overnights) extension for a limited number of participants. It allows additional time to follow up on meetings from the program week, conduct independent research, and further take advantage of the Fulbright experience. Participation in the extension is determined through the application process, with an additional section on the application to complete.
Participants will depart from the U.S. on Friday, May 22 in order to arrive in Berlin on Saturday, May 23, 2020.
A short film, two interviews and a blog posting by alumni will give you impressions of last year’s program.
The award benefits cover program costs, including round-trip transportation between the U.S. and Germany, hotel accommodation (single room, incl. breakfast), several meals, local transportation and health insurance coverage during the seminar.
To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be a U.S.-based young professional journalist, currently employed by U.S. media in the U.S., with fewer than 5 years of work experience in the field,
or a Master’s student in the field of journalism or communications at a U.S. university,
or a graduating senior in the field of journalism or communications at a U.S. university.
Participants in an alternative professional advancement program in Germany in 2020 are not eligible for this program.
Applicants must
Please read the Instructions for application submission.
The following documents must be submitted to comprise a complete application:
- Application Form (please use this form)
- Academic transcript(s)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Five of your most recent journalistic work samples (radio/TV journalists: see instructions)
- Completed Signature Page (please use this form)
- One letter of recommendation (please use this form) to be sent directly to the Fulbright Commission by the person supporting your application.
The above documents comprising a complete application must be submitted to the Fulbright Commission by January 8, 2020 exclusively by e-mail at the following address: specialprograms[at]fulbright.de.
Only complete applications that meet the formal and substantive requirements and are submitted on time to the Fulbright Commission will be considered for the selection procedure. The applicants are selected by a committee of the binational Fulbright Commission.
We will inform all applicants of the outcome of the application procedure by early March 2020.
Please note the German-American Fulbright Commission’s data protection declaration and the data protection notice on your application.
Application Deadline: January 8, 2020
Special Programs
Fulbright Commission
Lützowufer 26
10787 Berlin
Germany
Photo above: 2018 Berlin Capital Program participants in the taz newsroom with Kai Schöneberg, head of the economy and environment department (photo by Jamie Moore)
