Programs for US Broadcast Journalists
Two-Week Germany Program
each year in June and September
Germany Spring Program 2023 June 4-17, 2023 Application Deadline: December 31, 2022 Germany Fall Program 2023 Sep 3-16, 2023 Application Deadline: December 31, 2022 The RIAS Berlin Commission Journalist Program is an intensive two-week long trip to Germany and Brussels for active, mid-career journalists to take some time out from their day jobs to explore journalism in depth and the outside world. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the fellowship. More than 1,900 American and German broadcast journalists have participated in this unique transatlantic exchange since it was inaugurated in 1994 to keep the spirit of the legendary Cold War-era radio and TV station Radio in American Sector (RIAS) alive after it went off the air at the end of 1993. The fellows from the United States and Germany have been building bridges of understanding — professionally and personally — through the RIAS Berlin Commission alumni network ever since. The alumni have created a vibrant network by hosting visiting German journalists at their stations in the US, attending alumni meetings, and staying connected through the online Fellow directory and our website. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS US broadcast journalists are invited to apply for a two-week exchange program in Germany and become part of a vibrant German-American network of broadcast journalists. The RIAS Berlin Commission program was established in 1992 and has been funding the exchanges of German and US broadcast journalists since 1993. It was named after the legendary Cold War-era radio station “Radio in the American Sector” (RIAS) that had been the “voice of the free world”, beaming news, information and music into Communist East Germany. The goal of the fellowship is to keep the spirit of RIAS alive and supporting that aim are active and enthusiastic alumni chapters in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Mainz, New York and Washington DC. More than 1,900 US and German journalists have since taken part in the exchanges that are designed to expand horizons as well as help American journalists learn more about media and politics in Germany and Europe. The program for US journalists starts in Berlin with visits and meetings across the city, and may move to include stops in former East German cities such as Leipzig, Potsdam or Dresden as well as Prague to see changes that have transpired since unification. The program itinerary always includes a stop in Brussels, home to both NATO and the European Union, where there are programs detailing the roles for each organization. It also includes stops in Cologne or Hamburg. Program applicants must be full-time radio, TV, or online journalists, either staff or freelancers. German is not required. We ask that applicants have a minimum of five years of continued professional journalism experience prior to applying for the program. The RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION also encourages journalism school graduates with prior work experience to consider the program. The RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION exchange is a comprehensive fellowship, providing participants with round trip air travel from their home market to Germany, travel in and across Germany, and hotel accommodations during the program. Breakfasts and some meals are also provided during the program. Each participant will be required to contribute $500 to help cover the cost of the program. APPLICATION PACKAGE The following material should be included in your application package: PROGRAM DATES & DEADLINES Please send your completed application forms and required materials in one PDF or Word file to Pam Ortega at ortega@riasberlin.org and info@riasberlin.org
Please check our website for dates and application deadlines: www.riasberlin.org
Applicants are approved of their status within one month of the application deadline.
One Week Germany Program
Germany short/alumni program 2023 September 16-24, 2023 (Cologne-Hamburg) A RIAS Berlin Commission one-week program for American alumni is offered in Berlin every other year (odd-numbered years) — and in Washington DC every other year (even-numbered years) for German alumni. The first alumni program in 2019 was held during the 30th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the next was held in 2021 to coincide with the next German federal election expected in late September 2021. It was not possible to offer a program in 2020 due to the global pandemic. Many alumni have used these programs to report on the news from Germany for their networks back home. Accommodations, local transport costs and numerous alumni dinner get-togethers are covered by RIAS Berlin Commission. US broadcast journalists — and especially alumni from previous RIAS programs — are invited to apply for a one-week exchange program in Germany and deepen their involvement in the vibrant German-American network of broadcast journalists as well as learn more about current affairs in Germany and/or report on stories from Germany for their home stations. Program applicants must be either former participants of a RIAS program and/or active members of alumni chapters. Full-time radio, TV, or online journalists, either staff or freelancers are also welcome to apply. German is not required. We ask that applicants have a minimum of five years of continued professional journalism experience prior to applying for the program. The RIAS Berlin Commission program was established in 1992 and has been funding the exchanges of German and US broadcast journalists since 1993. It was named after the legendary Cold War-era radio station “Radio in the American Sector” (RIAS) that had been the “Voice of the free world”, beaming news, information and music into Communist East Germany. The goal of the fellowship is to keep the spirit of RIAS alive and supporting that aim are active and enthusiastic alumni chapters in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Mainz, New York and Washington DC. More than 1,900 US and German journalists have since taken part in the exchanges that are designed to expand horizons as well as help American journalists learn more about media and politics in Germany and Europe. The RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION exchange is a one-week partial fellowship, providing participants with hotel accommodations and travel inside Germany during the program. Breakfasts and some meals are also provided during the program. Participants of the alumni program are required to pay their own travel costs to and from Germany. Interested? Please contact your local chapter leader or write to us: ortega@riasberlin.org for more information.
Berlin ERP Student Program
US university students are invited to apply for a three-week intensive study program on The project is supported by the Transatlantic Program of the Federal Republic of Germany, CALL FOR APPLICATIONS US university students are invited to apply for a three-week intensive study program on journalism in Germany. Funded largely by a grant from the German government and organized by the RIAS Berlin Commission, up to 15 outstanding journalism or international studies students will be invited to take part in the three-week program in Germany to learn more about journalism in Germany, the role that broadcasters like the Berlin-based RIAS played during the Cold War and the current political landscape of Germany. The RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION was founded in 1992 in recognition of the merits of RIAS Berlin (Radio in the American Sector), the “free voice of the free world” from 1946 to 1993 that provided millions of listeners in communist East Germany with uncensored information and entertainment . Today, it is a binational organization that promotes German-American understanding in broadcast journalism. Since 2018, the RIAS Berlin Commission has been offering exceptional students of journalism, international affairs and related disciplines the opportunity to participate in this prestigious three-week educational program in Berlin. Funded by the Transatlantic Program of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the program will give 15 participants valuable insights into transatlantic, German and European affairs. Students from across the US are encouraged to apply. Over a three week period in Berlin, with a multiday excursion to at least two other German cities, participants will meet with leading political analysts, journalists, think tank representatives and other experts. They will visit German government institutions, historical sites, and universities, Program applicants must be outstanding, full-time undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students of journalism, international affairs, political science, history, German or closely related disciplines at universities and colleges in the United States. They should preferably have some experience in journalism – for example at a campus radio or TV station or newspaper. An interest in and knowledge of German or European affairs is very desirable; knowledge of German is preferred but not required. Students who have already gained some professional or volunteer experience in their field are strongly encouraged to apply. The program is funded by the Transatlantic Program of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, with additional financing from the RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION. Participants receive round trip air travel from their home states to Germany, ground and air travel in and across Germany, and hotel accommodations during the program. Some meals are also provided during the program. Participants may arrive earlier or later than scheduled program dates, but must cover any additional costs themselves. Each participant will be required to contribute €500 to help cover the cost of the program and must pay for some of their own meals. PROGRAM DATES & DEADLINES Leading applicants will be interviewed via Zoom before the final selection of program participants is made in February and March. APPLICATION PACKAGE Your application consists of the following items: HOW TO APPLY For more information, contact the RIAS Berlin Commission: RIAS BERLIN COMMISSION
June 18-July 8, 2023 (Berlin-Leipzig-Cologne-Hamburg)
journalism in Germany and the role of broadcast journalism during the Cold War era. Funded largely by a grant from the German government (ERP) and organized by the RIAS Berlin Commission, up to 15 outstanding journalism or international studies. Students will be invited to take part in the three-week program in Germany to learn more about journalism in Germany, the role that broadcasters like the Berlin-based RIAS played during the Cold War and the current political landscape of Germany.
funded by the European Recovery Program (ERP) of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi).
The program takes place in Berlin. Please check our website for exact dates and deadlines.
Send all your application materials in electronic format to Pam Ortega at ortega@riasberlin.org and info@riasberlin.org by March 1, 2023 . Be sure to add us to your spam white list in case there are any questions about your application.
Funkhaus am Hans-Rosenthal-Platz
D-10825 Berlin
Germany
www.riasberlin.org / info@riasberlin.org
Comments about the German-American Exchange Program
Our briefings with so many of the nation’s top political, social, military and financial leaders, coupled with our ability to sample life in so much of present-day Germany — eastern and western — provided the best possible guide to understanding one of the most important countries on the world scene. A terrible program! Peter Landis, News Director, New York 1 News, New York It’s not just a media tour in terms of hearing the official line–you get ample opportunity to ask country. It was a very good reminder that the world is awfully small and even if we’re focused on a local market, there are numerous links ties between our two countries and many reasons to be interested in Germany. Johanna Cleary, News Director, Alabama Public Television, Montgomery, AL The most fascinating part of the trip was what I didn’t expect – that reunification was not a done deal – it is an ongoing process. This truly opened my eyes — he issues for Germany, such as thinking about losing the Deutschmark as losing their identity – all these things that would have never occurred to me. Doris Bergman, Producer, New York 1 News, New York I was struck by how many of the problems we face in the US are very similar to the problems in Germany — balancing the budget, should we cut taxes, immigration problems. It surprised me that Germany faces so many of the same dilemmas as we do, and seeing how they are working to solve them. Mark Curtis, Correspondent, Cox Broadcasting, Washington Hosting German journalists gives you a good opportunity to reexamine how you do what you do from an outsiders point of view. It’s a great learning experience. The chance to exchange ideas with your peers from outside the market is an invaluable tool for your staff. I think every newsroom — no matter what market size — should take advantage of this. Rod Jackson, Managing Editor, KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, 1997 Fellowship Host I was pleasantly surprised when I started working on my series at how many ties Germany already has with my small state of West Virginia — and those ties are growing. I am glad that I was able to help my audience understand some of those transatlantic relationships. Jim Wallace, News Director, West Virginia Public Radio Germans and Americans have common roots, but more important, striking differences. By exposing ourselves to other cultures, we can learn from their successes, avoid their shortcomings and see our own country more objectively. This program offers an outstanding incentive for journalists to build a cultural bridge between audiences. Dick Custin, Reporter and Weekend Anchor for WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, MI
Hosting German Journalists at your station
Program Support
program videos
RIAS Exchange With RIAS in Germany 2011