Deutsche Welle (DW) Traineeship 2028-2029

Overview

The Deutsche Welle (DW) Traineeship 2028-2029 is an 18-month paid journalism program with an international broadcaster. The program is designed for creative individuals who want to help shape the future of journalism.

Who can apply

The traineeship is open to applicants from around the world who have journalistic experience or want to transition into journalism from other fields like law, business, or science. Candidates should be creative, knowledgeable in other disciplines, and particularly interested in creating social media content. Preference is given to applicants with extensive expertise in applying artificial intelligence journalistically, including skills in AI literacy, tool literacy, agentic AI, and vibe coding.

What you get

Trainees participate in a full-time program consisting of seminars and workshops held at editorial offices in Bonn and Berlin, as well as global regional bureaus such as Brussels and Washington. The curriculum covers mobile reporting, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, social media journalism, TV moderation, working with AI tools, and virtual reality. Participants receive a pre-tax monthly salary of 2,196 euros for the first six months, 2,374 euros for the following six months, and 2,473 euros for the final six months. Graduates often remain with DW as editors, reporters, or correspondents.

Requirements

The traineeship is a full-time commitment, though temporary outside employment may be approved in exceptional cases.

How to apply

Interested candidates must navigate a multi-level application process for one of the 12 available spots. The process includes submitting creative ideas and participating in an online assessment.

Key dates

The application deadline is November 17, 2026.