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Deadline: January 15, 2026
The International Journalists’ Programmes (IJP) Southern-African Journalists’ Fellowship Programme 2026 offers a unique exchange opportunity for early-career journalists from Southern Africa. Selected fellows will spend around two months working in a German newsroom — embedded in day-to-day editorial work — while also researching stories for their home media outlets. The programme, the Federal President Horst Köhler Fellowship, aims to deepen understanding between Germany and Southern Africa through hands-on media experience. The fellowship provides a stipend of €3,500 for Southern African delegates to cover travel, accommodation and living expenses. Participants begin with an introductory conference in Berlin in early July, followed by their placement in a German media outlet for the duration of the fellowship.
Benefits
- A fixed grant of €3,500 for Southern-African delegates, aimed at covering travel, living, and accommodation costs.
- Immersion in a professional German newsroom provides exposure to different editorial practices, technologies, and global journalistic standards.
- Networking opportunity: both with German media professionals and a global alumni network of IJP fellows.
- A platform to produce content about Southern Africa for German or global audiences, strengthening your profile as a journalist with international experience.
- A solid addition to your CV/portfolio and a potential stepping stone for future international media or exchange programmes.
SEE ALSO: The Challenger Digital and Green Accelerator Programme (Challenger D&G) 2026 for Early-stage Southern African startups
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this programme, you must meet all of the following:
- Be a journalist from a Southern-African country (i.e., SADC member states including Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe plus Kenya).
- Be aged between 25 and 40 years.
- Be working regularly for a media organisation (print, digital, radio or TV) at the time of application. Opportunities For Africans+1
- Have a strong command of English; German language skills are an advantage but not mandatory. International Journalists’ Network+1
- Submit required application documents by email within the application window (digital form only).
Application process and documents required
All journalists from Southern Africa (SADC Member States + Kenia) between the age of 25 and 40, who regularly work for a media organisation, can apply.
- Enclose a CV with a passport photograph
- Write an 800-word essay addressing the following topics:
o Why would you like to work in Germany?
o What are the three research topics you want to pursue during the fellowship?
o What role do you expect to play at your home media in the future?
o How will you spend the bursary? - Include a one‐page resume detailing your education and work experience, your standard of German and English (copies of certificates/ e.g. Goethe Institute/TOEFL), plus two copies of articles written by you (TV and radio journalists should submit manuscripts or links, since no audio or video
tapes can be considered) - A journalistic reference from your editor or head of department is required (freelancers should submit a reference from a senior journalist). It should also guarantee your leave of absence for the duration of the programme.
Legal action in respect of the final decision shall be barred. Applicants are asked to send their application documents (only by email) from November 1st, 2025 until January 15th, 2026 to the following email
address: office@ijp.org
