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OtherPartial — 5,000 euros (stipend + 1,000 euros travel allowance) 33 days left

International Journalists‘ Programmes (IJP) Middle East Programme Journalists’ Bursary Programme 2026 in Germany (5,000 Euro Stipend)

Last verified 12 May 2026 by the Scholarships for Africans editorial team

The IJP Middle East Programme offers a two-month travel and work scholarship in Germany for up to five journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories and Israel. The program aims to familiarize young journalists with German political issues, culture, and everyday life, fostering an

Host country
Germany
Deadline
June 15, 2026
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About this scholarship

## Overview The IJP Middle East Programme, established in 2005, facilitates an intensive dialogue between media outlets in the Middle East and Germany. It offers a two-month travel and work scholarship in Germany for up to five journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, and Israel. Concurrently, German journalists can apply for a two-month stay in the Middle East. The fellowship aims to familiarize young journalists with German political issues, cultural aspects, and daily life, fostering an understanding of relations between Germany and the Middle East. ## Eligibility * Journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, and Israel. * Good knowledge of English is expected. * Knowledge of German is welcomed but not essential. ## Benefits Each fellow receives a one-time payment of 5,000 euros, which includes a stipend and a 1,000 euros travel allowance. This amount is intended to cover most travel, food, and accommodation costs, although scholarship holders are expected to contribute. There is no remuneration for journalistic work. The program also includes an introductory conference in Berlin and a German language course for Middle Eastern fellows, followed by a two-month placement at a German host media outlet. ## How to apply Applications must include a detailed CV with a passport photo and a recommendation letter from the head of department or editor-in-chief. The letter should support the applicant, guarantee a temporary leave of absence for the fellowship duration, and serve as proof of journalistic activity. Work samples may be included. Applications should be sent to freiling@ijp.org and office@ijp.org. The application deadline for the 2026 fellowship is June 15, 2026.

What's covered

The award components below were extracted from the sponsor's published description. Always cross-check the exact figures, ceiling amounts and conditions on the official site before you budget around them.

  • Monthly stipend
  • Accommodation
  • Return airfare
  • Language preparation

Eligibility criteria

Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.

  • * Journalists from Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, and Israel.
  • * Good knowledge of English.
  • * Recommendation letter from head of department or editor-in-chief.

Required documents

A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.

  • Valid international passport (bio page scan)
  • Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
  • Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
  • Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
  • Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
  • Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
  • Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
  • Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders

How to apply

A practical, sponsor-agnostic sequence used by >95% of international scholarship applicants. Adapt to the sponsor's specific portal — the order rarely changes.

  1. 1
    Confirm eligibility on the official site

    Open https://ijp.org/en/programmes/middleeast/ and verify your country, level of study and English-language status against the current call. Sponsor rules change between intakes — never rely on third-party summaries alone.

  2. 2
    Secure a study place or admission offer

    Apply to the host university or programme first where required, and obtain a conditional admission letter. A growing number of sponsors only fund applicants who already hold an offer.

  3. 3
    Sit required tests and gather documents

    Register for IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo (or SAT / GRE where required), request official transcripts, brief two or three referees, and prepare passport and identity documents at high resolution.

  4. 4
    Draft your essays and statements

    Write a 500–1,000-word personal statement and any additional essays the sponsor specifies. Anchor each essay in concrete examples and tie your goals back to the sponsor's mission.

  5. 5
    Complete the online application

    Create an account on https://ijp.org/en/programmes/middleeast/, fill in every field, and upload the required documents in the formats specified (PDF, max file size, single-file vs multi-file). Save progress frequently — most portals time out after 30–60 minutes.

  6. 6
    Submit at least one week before the deadline

    Sponsor portals routinely slow or fail in the final 24 hours. Submit early, download the confirmation receipt, and screenshot the submission timestamp. Late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

  7. 7
    Prepare for shortlist interviews

    If shortlisted, the sponsor will contact you within 4–12 weeks. Re-read your essays, rehearse 3–5 likely questions out loud, and confirm your time zone for any video interview.

Deadline timeline

Working backwards from the sponsor's stated deadline (June 15, 2026). Dates assume a smooth, single-attempt timeline — start earlier where you can.

  1. 12 months out
    20 Jun 2025

    Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.

  2. 6 months out
    17 Dec 2025

    Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.

  3. 3 months out
    17 Mar 2026

    Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.

  4. 1 month out
    16 May 2026

    Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.

  5. Application deadline
    15 Jun 2026

    Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the International Journalists‘ Programmes (IJP) Middle East Programme Journalists’ Bursary Programme 2026 in Germany (5,000 Euro Stipend)?+

Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the Other level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by The sponsor, and be able to relocate to Germany for the duration of the programme.

Is the International Journalists‘ Programmes (IJP) Middle East Programme Journalists’ Bursary Programme 2026 in Germany (5,000 Euro Stipend) fully funded?+

Funding model: Partial — 5,000 euros (stipend + 1,000 euros travel allowance). Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.

When is the application deadline?+

The application deadline is June 15, 2026. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.

What documents do I need to apply?+

At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.

How can I improve my chance of winning?+

Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.

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