The IJP German-Japanese Fellowship Exchange Programme 2026

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Call for The IJP German-Japanese Fellowship Programme 2026 !!! Apply now !!

The IJP fellowship programmes are designed to foster international exchange between media professionals and opinion makers, broadening participants’ perspectives beyond national borders. Fellows gain deeper insights into the politics, economy, and culture of their host regions, while also enhancing their professional qualifications. The experience provides valuable contacts and contributes to balanced portrayals of Germany abroad as well as improved foreign reporting within Germany.

Each fellowship typically begins with an introductory conference, followed by six to eight weeks of placement with host media organizations. During this period, fellows engage in the daily editorial workflow while also developing their own journalistic projects and reporting for their home outlets. Applications are submitted directly to the designated contact persons for each regional programme.

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The German-Asian Programme was founded in 1995 at the suggestion of the Federal Foreign Office on the occasion of the “Asia-Europe Summit” in Bangkok. For many years, journalists from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the countries of Southeast Asia were supported.

The programme offers up to 10 fellowships in total. While up to five participants from Japan will be based at a German editorial office, German fellows travel to Japan primarily for research, complemented by a short-term placement at a Japanese media outlet. The Fellows will participate in a two-month fellowship stay abroad in the respective host country.

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The programme starts with a joint four-day introductory meeting with all fellows in Berlin. After the introduction meeting, the Japanese fellows will start their placements at their respective German host media outlets. IJP chooses the host medium in consultation with the fellows. Within three months of completing the programme, participants must submit their published journalistic work along with an illustrated personal report of at least five pages.

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.

The programme concludes with a joint closing conference in Tokyo on December 1, bringing the entire cohort together to share their findings and experiences. Successful applicants are awarded a one‑time payment of €4,200, intended to cover travel costs, local living expenses, and qualified health insurance abroad. A personal financial contribution or support from the applicant’s home media organization is expected, as no additional remuneration is provided for work undertaken at the host media.

The International Journalists’ Programmes (IJP), a non‑profit organization based in Germany, has been fostering international media exchange for more than four decades. Through its bilateral fellowship programmes, both freelance and staff journalists gain the opportunity to experience the political, cultural, social, and media landscapes of host countries firsthand as guest reporters. By immersing participants in diverse editorial environments, IJP strengthens cross‑cultural understanding and equips journalists with valuable professional insights that extend beyond national borders.