Are you a journalist, blogger, media worker, or citizen reporter who wants to learn how to protect yourself — and others — in the digital world?
Good news: applications are now open for the 2026 RSF Berlin Fellowship in Germany!
This fully funded international fellowship is organized by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in cooperation with the Berlin Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy, and Public Enterprises.
It’s designed to help journalists learn essential digital security and self-defense skills — skills that are more important today than ever before.
The fellowship lasts six months (from June to November 2026) and you can apply without any application fee. Let’s break down the details in a simple, clear way.
📌 What Is the RSF Berlin Fellowship?
The RSF Berlin Fellowship 2026 gives journalists and media professionals a chance to live and train in Berlin, Germany, while deepening their understanding of online threats and digital safety.
In a world where reporters face surveillance, hacking, doxxing, and other digital risks, this fellowship helps you stay safe, strong, and informed.
🗓 Fellowship Details
💰 What the Fellowship Covers
This fellowship is truly fully funded — that means RSF covers most of your major expenses:
✈️ Travel
🏨 Accommodation
💶 Stipend & Living Support
🛂 Visa Support
🩺 Insurance
🚆 Transportation & Workspace
🎉 Extras
🎓 Who Can Apply? (Eligibility)
This program is designed for people who:
✔️ Are professional journalists, bloggers, media workers, or citizen journalists
✔️ Face or want to prevent digital threats (like hacking or online harassment)
✔️ Want to learn digital security to protect themselves and others
✔️ Have practical experience in media — not necessarily deep IT skills
✔️ Are committed to returning home after the fellowship and sharing what they learn
Skills & Requirements
💡 What You Will Learn
During this fellowship, you’ll focus on:
🔐 Digital Security Training
Learn how to protect yourself from:
🛡 Self-Defense for Media
Develop skills to defend your personal and professional digital space.
🤝 Knowledge Sharing
You’ll learn to teach colleagues back home how to stay safe online.
This program is practical, hands-on, and tailored to real challenges that journalists face today.
📝 How to Apply
Applying is simple and fully online.
👉 Apply here:
🔗 the RSF Berlin Fellowship 2026 section)
Make sure your materials clearly show your media experience and your motivation to improve digital safety.
🌍 Why This Fellowship Matters
Digital threats are real.
Journalists around the world face risks every day — from cyberattacks to online harassment to state surveillance. This fellowship doesn’t just give you theory — it gives you tools and confidence to stay safe in a complex digital landscape.
Plus, living and training in Berlin means you’ll:
Many fellows go on to boost their careers, start community safety initiatives, or train journalists back home.
