Deadline: November 18, 2024.

The application phase for the 2026-2027 DW traineeship has begun. Aspiring journalists can apply for the bilingual program.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.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Applicants come from all over the world, speak several languages and have diverse qualifications. Deutsche Welle’s rigorous annual application process has several rounds. In the final round, a committee selects twelve aspiring journalists who are especially well-suited for the program. The committee members include the DW Director General, DW’s Program Director, DW’s Editor-in-Chief, and prominent DW journalists.   
2. They’re not looking for perfect, well-established journalists but for young, open-minded candidates with initial journalistic experience or special expertise who want to help shape the future of Deutsche Welle.

BENEFITS

1. For the first six months of the program, trainees earn a pre-tax salary of 1,996 euros per month. This increases to 2,174 euros a month before tax for the following six months. For the final six months, trainees earn 2,273 euros per month before tax.
2. Deutsche Welle’s traineeship is a full-time program. In exceptional cases, temporary employment outside of the program may be approved.

APPLICATION

Before you start with your online application, please make sure that you have all necessary documents available:
 

• Letter of motivation only in German or English (max. 700 words, font: Arial, font size: 10, spacing: 1,5, date and signature)
• Your current CV (please provide two CVs: one using Europass and one in a freely chosen format .)
• University diploma or training certificate(s)
• Samples of your work (max. 3) – you can upload your work samples in one (or more) format(s) of your choice (video, audio, text, social media posts). Pay attention that the work samples should be in one of the DW program languages. You are welcome to upload your work samples in more than one language if they are DW program languages. A certified translation of your work samples is not necessary. The work samples may already be published or not. The must be the author of all works you sent us
• For non-EU citizens who are currently living in an EU country: a copy of your passport, as well as your residency permit

If available:

• Proof of your language skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
• Internship certificate
• Employment references
• Letter of recommendation (with letterhead, stamp of the organization, signature and date)

 
Please note that the official documents (excluding letters of recommendation) which are in neither English nor German should be translated as such. This translation does not have to be certified. Please note, however, that an official certified copy must be available upon hiring!

Find more information on the OFFICIAL LINK