Call for DW Traineeship 2027-2028 is open now!!!
Once again, DW is looking for creative people who are interested in a comprehensive, high-quality journalism program with an international broadcaster and who want to help shape the journalism of the future.
The 18-month paid journalism program is considered one of the most prestigious of its kind in Germany – and beyond. It covers a range of fields and skills, such as TV-moderation, multimedia storytelling, data journalism and working with AI tools. The topics are explored in seminars and workshops at DW’s editorial offices in Bonn and Berlin, along with our regional bureaus across the globe.
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The bilingual international traineeship (German/English) is structured as follows:
The traineeship consists of an 18-month-long journalistic training program.
Seminar modules alternate with internships in editorial departments, so you can put into practice what you’ve just learned.
The traineeship will start in January of each year and end in 18 months later.
As a rule, the volunteers are in Bonn from January to the end of October; during this period, the seminar blocks and editorial stations take place in the editorial offices in Bonn.
November and December are reserved for your elective station and your annual leave.
From January onwards, you will go to one of the DW foreign bureaus and to the Berlin editorial studios; the exact period of your stay in the foreign bureau varies and will be announced at the latest at the beginning of your traineeship (a maximum of two trainees can work in a foreign bureau at the same time).
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The traineeship includes:
- six months of theory and practice-oriented seminar modules in German and English
- nine months of placements with various DW editorial departments in Bonn, Berlin and one of our foreign bureaus
- a one-month internship.
They are looking for candidates from around the world who are interested in a comprehensive, quality journalism traineeship at an international broadcaster. Applicants should have journalistic experience or be passionate about switching to journalism from other professional fields such as law, business or science. Simply put: we’re looking for highly creative candidates and ones with expertise from other disciplines. We’re especially interested in applicants who use and create content for social media channels.
Trainees learn the skills and tools that future journalists need: everything from mobile reporting, multimedia storytelling and data journalism to social media journalism and virtual reality – in seminars, workshops, DW’s editorial offices and DW foreign bureaus (Brussels/Washington). Trainees are constantly involved in innovative, international projects and after graduating often stay with DW, working as editors, reporters or correspondents.
Location:
GermanyBenefits
This traineeship includes-
- Financial Support:
For the first six months of the program, trainees earn a pre-tax salary of 2.196 euros per month. This increases to 2.374 euros a month before tax for the following six months. For the final six months, trainees earn 2.473 euros per month before tax.
- Multimedia Training:
You’ll gain hands-on experience in:
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- TV moderation and production.
- Online and social media journalism.
- Data journalism and investigative reporting.
- AI tools in journalism.
- Global Network:
DW is Germany’s international broadcaster, with services in 30+ languages. You’ll collaborate with journalists from around the world and report on global issues.
- Prestige & Recognition:
DW’s traineeship is one of the most respected journalism programs in Europe. Alumni often go on to work at DW or other major media outlets.
Eligibilities
Language Requirements:
Knowledge in both German and English is mandatory.
Good language skills in German are equivalent to a B1/B2 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
Excellent language skills in English are equivalent to a C1/C2 level, according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
For our bilingual (German-English) traineeship, we have certain language requirements:
- Native speakers of a DW program language (list of the languages below) with excellent knowledge of English (C1/C2) and a good knowledge of German (B1/B2)
- Native English speakers / Proficient English users (C1/C2) with a good knowledge of German (B1/B2)
- Native German speakers / Proficient German users (C1/C2) with excellent knowledge of English (C1/C2)
They ask you to honestly evaluate your personal language skills. Of course, they would be happy to receive your language certificates, but it is not mandatory. During the assessment center the exercises will be conducted in German as well as English. Journalists from language departments will test if you are proficient in other languages. The final interview will also be conducted in German and English.
Subject related requirement:
- You can apply for the bilingual (German-English) international traineeship if you have a university degree – no matter your major. they also accept applicants who have completed vocational training in journalism.
- In completing the online application, you will be asked to upload your certificates to prove your qualifications. It is not relevant to have majored in a media-related subject. On the contrary, they encourage applicants from different fields like technology, science and medicine. Regardless, you will have to submit your certification documents prior to the internship starting.
Others requirements:
- Do not enter Germany on a tourist visa because a tourist visa cannot be changed to the required visa or a training-related residence permit later.
- Creative and adaptable
- Interested in global issues and multimedia storytelling
- Open-minded and critical thinkers
Application Process
To qualify for one of the 12 coveted spots, applicants must complete a multi-level application process, submit creative ideas and take part in an online assessment.
For the traineeship, DW is looking for open-minded and critical-thinking individuals with a background in journalism, or who are passionate about switching to journalism from law, economics, science or technology/IT.
The application period for the 2027 international traineeship is open from October 13, 2025 (12 p.m. CEST) to November 17, 2025 (12 p.m. CET). Applications have to be made online only within the given timeframe, using the application link below.
Applications must be made online only within the given timeframe. The application link will only be activated during this period! Please do not send us any application documents by e-mail! These will not be processed.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries regarding the status of your application during the selection process. We kindly ask you to refrain from such requests.
Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 (7 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
