Each year, 10 to 15 fellowships are awarded to journalists from Eastern and Western Europe and the United States who want to spend two semesters engaging in research in Berlin. Since 1999, the program of the European Journalism-Fellowships (EJF) at the International Center for Journalism of the Freie Universitaet Berlin has become established as an important institution for journalists at the European level.
Each fellow pursues a custom-made programme that is organized around a specific project defined by the applicant: an individual journalistic research project, the results of which will later be published. The objective of studies in Berlin is to broaden professional knowledge and specialized expertise while building upon previous journalistic experience. Fellows are free to take advantage of course offerings at the Berlin Universities, and to participate in events organized by other scholarly and cultural institutions in the German capital.
At the same time, journalists have an opportunity to meet colleagues from Eastern and Western Europe and the United States.
Thanks to the European Journalism-Fellowships, more than 130 journalists from 31 nations have had and still have an opportunity to pursue research in Berlin between 1999 and today. Reputable news organizations have granted leaves of absence to their journalists. Over the years, a network of journalists has emerged in Europe. Participants have developed heightened sensitivities for other perspectives and attitudes against the background of various cultures, and have developed into “Germany experts” who are capable of reporting competently about Germany in their home countries. All in all, the European Journalism-Fellowships have contributed both to raising the quality of journalism and to the European integration.