Deadline: June 15, 2026
Applications are open for the IJP German-Japanese Fellowship Programme 2026. In 2026, the International Journalist’s Programmes (IJP) will offer for the third time a fellowship program exclusively for Japan. This initiative reflects Japan’s strategic importance in geopolitical shifts and the commitment of the German government to strengthening bilateral ties.
The programme offers up to five journalists from Japan and five from Germany the opportunity to participate in a two-month fellowship stay abroad in the respective host country.
The programme puts a strong focus on the challenges of geopolitics, economics, environment/energy/climate policy, and emerging technologies. Therefore, applicants should demonstrate strong expertise in at least one of these fields. Furthermore, projects are encouraged that explore demographic change, migration, and Germany’s role as a primary stakeholder within the European Union.
Scholarship
- Each scholar will receive a lump sum of Euro 4,200 to cover part of their travel expenses, accommodation and personal expenses as well as qualified health insurance for a visit abroad. Additional costs are expected to be paid by each fellow personally. There will be no payment for the work at their host media outlet.
Eligibility
- Open to all journalists between 28 and 40 years of age who work as freelancers or as permanent employees for Japanese media organizations.
- While knowledge of German is a plus, excellent English skills (oral and written) are mandatory and will be assessed during the selection process.
Application
To apply, submit the following documents in ONE single PDF file by June 15th, 2026:
- Curriculum Vitae, including a passport size picture.
- A letter of reference from the head of department or editor-in-chief (which also supports the application, ensures leave of absence for the duration of the fellowship and serves as proof of your journalistic activity). A letter of intent to show the commitment to publish articles during and after the fellowship in relation to the research done in Germany/Europe is mandatory.
- Work samples: a list of links to relevant articles. For Japanese texts, provide a translation of the headlines.
- A one-page motivation letter, explaining why you want to pursue a fellowship in Germany.
- An application video (max. 90 seconds, recorded by cell phone) in English, clearly outlining your motivation as well as your research project. Include a link to this video in your application.
- A detailed research proposal (1-2 pages), outlining a specific research project. This is a prerequisite for a successful application; further research ideas might be just sketched briefly.
Send inquiries (if necessary) and application to [email protected] and cc: [email protected]
For more information, visit IJP German-Japanese Fellowship.
