If you have started out in journalism and want serious, paid training at an international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle’s International Journalism Traineeship is worth a close look. DW Akademie, the media development and training arm of Germany’s international broadcaster, runs an 18-month programme that trains a small group of early-career journalists for work across TV, radio and digital platforms. Applications for the 2028/2029 intake close on 17 November 2026.
At a Glance
- Organiser: Deutsche Welle (DW) / DW Akademie
- Programme length: 18 months, full-time, starting in January
- Where: Bonn and Berlin, Germany, with a placement at a DW foreign bureau
- Places: Around 12 trainees per intake
- Pay: Monthly salary of roughly €2,196 to €2,473 (gross)
- Deadline: 17 November 2026, 12:00 noon (CET / GMT+1)
How the Traineeship Is Structured
The 18 months are split into three parts:
- Seminar phase (6 months): Practical modules on reporting, storytelling and production, including newer areas such as data journalism, AI tools and virtual reality.
- Newsroom placements (9 months): Rotations through DW editorial teams in Bonn and Berlin, plus time at one of DW’s international bureaus. Past bureau options have included Brussels, Washington, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Riga and Delhi. Each bureau takes no more than two trainees at a time.
- Elective internship (1 month): A placement you choose yourself to deepen a particular skill or interest.
Throughout the programme, trainees are expected to pitch and produce their own stories, not only assist on other people’s work.
Salary and Benefits
This is a paid traineeship. The monthly gross salary rises in three steps:
| Period | Monthly salary (gross) |
|---|---|
| Months 1–6 | €2,196 |
| Months 7–12 | €2,374 |
| Months 13–18 | €2,473 |
Other benefits include:
- Cross-media training in television, radio and online journalism
- Work experience in German newsrooms and at an overseas bureau
- A professional network across DW’s multilingual services
- Good prospects of freelance or contract work with DW around the world after you finish
Who Can Apply?
DW broadcasts in over 30 languages, so it looks for multilingual journalists. You should meet one of these language profiles:
- You are a native speaker of one of DW’s broadcast languages, with excellent English and good German.
- You are a native English speaker with good German.
- You are a native German speaker with excellent English.
You will also need:
- A completed university degree, college degree or vocational apprenticeship
- Some journalism experience, for example freelance work, a campus outlet, an internship or a local newsroom
- Comfort with social media and digital formats
- The ability to work to tight deadlines and as part of a team
You don’t need a journalism degree. DW particularly welcomes applicants with backgrounds in law, economics, the sciences, technology or IT who want to work as journalists.
Selection Process
Selection happens in several rounds. Expect to:
- Submit an online application, including creative story or format ideas
- Complete an online assessment if you are shortlisted
- Go through further selection stages before final offers are made
Because only around a dozen places are available, the quality of your ideas matters a lot. Pitch stories that show your knowledge of your home region and that suit DW’s international audience.
Tips for African Applicants
- Use your language advantage. DW runs services in Amharic, Hausa, Kiswahili, French, Portuguese and English for Africa, among others. If you are a native speaker of one of these, make it clear in your application.
- Start working on your German now. “Good German” is a firm requirement for most applicants. Certificates from Goethe-Institut courses can strengthen your application.
- Show a portfolio. Links to published articles, audio pieces or videos carry more weight than a list of duties.
- Prepare documents early. Scan your degree certificates and other credentials as PDFs well before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online through DW’s official traineeship page. Read the full requirements there before you start, because details can change between intakes.
Deadline: 17 November 2026, 12:00 noon (CET).
Visit the official DW traineeship page to apply
For details of each selection stage, see DW Akademie’s guide: How the application and selection process works.
