What we support?
The aim of the Heinz-Kühn-Foundation is to support the training and professional development of junior journalists.
The foundation awards scholarships to young journalists from North-Rhine-Westphalia for six-week or three-month reporting trips in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The foundation also provides funds to enable candidates from developing countries to gain professional journalism experience in North-Rhine-Westphalia for up to three months.
Heinz-Kühn-Foundation scholarships are intended to enable junior journalists to further their professional development and continue training in new surroundings, and to gain a first-hand and in-depth knowledge of the customs, opinions and way of life in other countries.
Who is eligible?
Young journalists from North-Rhine-Westphalia and developing countries are eligible for a scholarship if they satisfy the following requirements:
- have a keen interest in development issues;
- have already gained substantial professional experience in journalism (a completed college education is desirable);
- are not older than 35 years of age; and,
- have a good command of the official language of their host country (candidates from abroad must at least have a basic knowledge of the German language).
What does the scholarship include?
Scholarship holders get
- a lump-sum contribution towards living expenses in the host country (with scholarship payments covering training and living expenses in the host country);
- a lump-sum allowance for flight and travelling expenses (the foundation pays a return air ticket for candidates from abroad);
- an allowance to cover costs of research materials (e.g. literature);
- an allowance for trips within the host country; and,
- (if neccessary, for scholarship holders from abroad) a German language course of up to two months at the Düsseldorf or Bonn based Goethe-Institut.
In the lead up to the scholarship and throughout the duration of the scholarship, the Heinz-Kühn-Foundation will provide support.
What are the obligations of German scholarship holders?
Scholarship holders from North-Rhine-Westphalia have to determine and agree with the foundation a plan for their training and professional development in their host country and to follow this plan during the scholarship to the best of their ability. They also undertake to submit a detailed report of their stay in the host country within six weeks of completing the scholarship. All reports from scholarship holders are published in the yearbook of the Heinz-Kühn-Foundation.
How to apply
Journalists who meet the requirements for a scholarship should first contact the foundation to discuss possible host countries and their topics of interest.
Applications for the following year must be received by 30 November only per Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The following documents should be enclosed with the application:
- curriculum vitae in tabular form and a photograph;
- certificates of vocational training and present occupation;
- foreign languages certificates;
- German candidates should provide a detailed statement explaining their reasons for applying, their choice of host country and proposed topic of research.
- Candidates from abroad should provide a letter of motivation in German.
Who selects successful candidates?
Candidates from North-Rhine-Westphalia who are eligible and have been short-listed for a scholarship will be invited to an interview with a selection committee headed by a member of the managing board of the Heinz-Kühn-Foundation.
Decisions are taken by the board of trustees of the Heinz-Kühn-Foundation on the recommendation of the selection committee.
Where to obtain further information?
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.