Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Grant

Arthur F. Burns Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: International Center for Journalists
Amount: Approximately US $5,500
Last Updated: January 17, 2026

Summary

The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship offers journalists from the U.S., Canada, and Germany a unique opportunity to enhance their skills through a two-month exchange program. Participants engage in a structured orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by hands-on training at German media outlets. This fellowship not only enriches careers but also fosters international understanding, with many alumni advancing in prominent media roles globally. With financial support for living and travel expenses, this program significantly enhances the quality of transatlantic news coverage.

Overview

About the Fellowship The Arthur F. Burns Fellowship gives working journalists a new opportunity to sharpen their reporting and writing skills, while learning about another country and transatlantic relations. This exchange sends U.S. and Canadian journalists to work in Germany for two months, while sending German journalists to the United States or Canada. The impact is extensive and long-lasting. As fellows learn first-hand about their host country and media outlet, they write stories and produce broadcasts for both host and home audiences. When they return home, they share their experiences with colleagues and continue to cover current events with new skills and contacts and a greater understanding of international relations. The Fellowship benefits participating journalists over the life of their careers, as well as the audience for whom they write or broadcast. When asked about their experience, 90 percent of Burns alumni respondents said the program enriched their careers, and 80 percent have been promoted or joined prominent media organizations in senior positions. In addition, more than 40 percent of alumni now work as foreign correspondents in 20 countries for well-known news outlets, including The Washington Post, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio (NPR), CNN, Deutsche Welle, Der Spiegel, and Süddeutsche Zeitung. By providing talented young American, German, and Canadian journalists the opportunity to live and work in each other's country, this highly personalized and practical exchange program makes a significant impact on the quality of news coverage in each country and the transatlantic relationship. The 9-week program includes: One Week of Orientation in Washington D.C. - Program participants attend a one-week orientation in Washington, D.C., attending meetings with prominent media and government representatives, and discussing critical issues impacting current events and media today. The orientation fosters a spirit of community among the participants and gives a foundation for understanding the importance of transatlantic relations. Eight-Week Exchange Program -North American fellows participate in a two-week language training before becoming embedded with German media outlets. The German fellows proceed directly to their host media in different cities throughout the United States and Canada. Over the next two months, fellows work as temporary staff members at newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations. In addition to covering local news, fellows report on events for their employers back home while Funding Each North American fellow will receive a $4,000 stipend to cover living expenses during the nine-week-long fellowship in Germany. Participants also receive $1,500 for travel expenses. The program also pays for living expenses during the orientation in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. This competitive application is open to U.S., Canadian and German journalists between the age of 21-40, who are employed by a newspaper, news magazine, broadcast station, news agency, or who work as freelance and/or online reporters. Applicants must demonstrate journalistic talent and a strong interest in North American-European affairs. Applicants should have at least two years of full-time journalism experience.