Application Deadline: 17 November 2026 at 12 noon (12:00 p.m. GMT+1).
Applications are now open for the 2028/2029 Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie International Journalism Traineeship. 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.
Program Details
- Work locations
Training in Bonn, Berlin and DW’s international offices - Placements
Placements in DW’s major editorial teams - Money
Good training salary
Benefits
- 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.
- Deutsche Welle’s traineeship is a full-time program. In exceptional cases, temporary employment outside of the program may be approved.
- DW trainees receive a salary and gain hands-on experience in TV, online and radio with a combination of practical training blocks and newsroom placements.
- Trainees also explore journalism trends of the future, ranging from digital storytelling to data journalism and virtual reality.
- In addition, various journalism projects give you the chance to develop your own innovative content. Trainees also benefit from DW’s close ties with Major German and international media houses.
Role
- acquisition of journalism skills
- seminars on all relevant journalism topics, conducted by renowned trainers
- placements with various DW editorial departments in Bonn and Berlin as well as in one of our foreign bureaus in Brussels, Washington, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Riga or Dheli.
- introduction to producing your own content for TV, radio or online formats, from generating ideas to technical production
- technical know-how for TV, radio and online
- placements in Germany, Europe and worldwide
- after traineeship completion, prospect of ongoing contract working for DW worldwide
Profile
- native speaker of one of DW’s languages with excellent English and good German language skills, or native English speaker with good German language skills, or native German speaker with excellent English language skills
- completed university degree, college degree or apprenticeship (especially with a background in technology/IT, science, politics, economics or law)
- DW is also looking for applicants from other fields, whether you are an IT specialist, lawyer, physician, mathematician, nurse, chef, pilot, football player or referee.
- initial journalistic experience
- creative mind
- social media expertise
- ability to work under deadlines and as part of a team
Program Structure
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).
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 elective
The 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.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Deutsche Welle (DW) Akademie International Journalism Traineeship
