1st German-Japanese Fellowship Programme

Objective
The International Journalists‘ Programmes /IJP, a non-profit organization based in Germany, has been offering scholarship programmes for freelance and permanent journalists for over 40 years. These exchange programmes allow on a bilateral basis to get to know a country and its media landscape as a guest reporter.

With the help of this programme, journalists can gain a personal impression of politics, business, culture and everyday social life in the host country.

The various IJP fellowship programmes are supported by foundations, private sponsors plus funding from the German Foreign Office.

The fellowship
The fellowships begin mid-October with a joint two-and-a-half-day introductory meeting in Berlin. Prior to this, there will be two online meetings in September, which will give the participants the first opportunity to get to know each other. Furthermore, through short lectures, insights into the respective customs of everyday working life of the host host country will be provided.

The stays in the host country, which usually last up to eight weeks, take place between mid-October and mid-December, 2023.

No pandemic-related restrictions are expected at the time of the call. Should there be any current changes, these will be taken into account in consultation with the participants.

A closing conference is planned to take place in Tokyo by mid-December.

Six weeks after completing the fellowship, participants submit their journalistic products and an illustrated personal report of at least five pages. The texts and report will be included in a final print documentation.

All fellows are invited to get involved in the IJP global alumni network beyond this programme.

Each successful applicant will receive a one-time payment of 4,000 euros. The amount is intended to cover travel expenses, living expenses on site, and qualified health insurance abroad. A personal contribution is expected. Remuneration for the work on site is not foreseen.

Application (this information is for applicants from Japanese media. Applicants from German media, please go to the German page)

Applications are open to all journalists between 28 and 45 years of age who work as freelancers or as permanent employees for a Japanese media company.

Knowledge of the German language is not a prerequisiste, however, working knowledge of English is expected.

Application portfolio
The following documents must be submitted in ONE pdf document by May 15, 2023:
• Curriculum vitae
• 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, if applicable, and serves as proof of journalistic activity)
• A list of links to relevant articles
• Outline of one specific research project should, covering two pages is a prerequisite for a successful application, further research ideas might be just sketched briefly
• Additionally, a one-and-a-half-minute application video in English, should be submitted, clearly outlining the motivation for the host country and the research project. A recording by cell phone is sufficient

The selection will be made without recourse to legal action by a jury on the basis of the application documents and, if necessary, a virtual selection interview.

Notifications of participation in the programme will be sent by the end of June 2023.

Application address
Please send inquiries about the programme or the application process to:
johns@ijp.org and cc: natsuko@ijp.org

Applications should be sent to:
IJP e.V. / Japan Programme
Attn: Ms Martina Johns
johns@ijp.org
Subject line: Applicant name/2023

Source & More information:

https://www.ijp.org/en/fellowships/the-asian-fellowship

Call for Applications (PDF)