Deutsche Welle (DW) Traineeship 2028-2029

The Deutsche Welle (DW) Traineeship is an 18-month paid journalism program designed for creative individuals interested in high-quality journalism with an international broadcaster. It is considered one of the most prestigious programs of its kind in Germany and beyond. The program covers various fields and skills, including TV-moderation, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and working with AI tools. Training involves seminars and workshops at DW’s editorial offices in Bonn and Berlin, as well as regional bureaus across the globe. Trainees are constantly involved in innovative, international projects.

This is a fully-funded, paid traineeship. For the first six months, trainees receive a pre-tax salary of 2,196 euros per month. This increases to 2,374 euros per month before tax for the subsequent six months, and for the final six months, trainees earn 2,473 euros per month before tax. The program is full-time.

The traineeship is open to candidates from around the world who are interested in a comprehensive, quality journalism program. Applicants must be native speakers of one of DW's languages with excellent English and good German language skills, OR native English speakers with good German language skills, OR native German speakers with excellent English language skills.

Applicants should have a completed university degree, college degree, or apprenticeship, especially with a background in technology/IT, science, politics, economics, or law. However, candidates from other professional fields such as IT specialists, lawyers, physicians, mathematicians, nurses, chefs, pilots, football players, or referees are also encouraged to apply. Initial journalistic experience is required, or a strong passion for switching to journalism. Candidates should be highly creative, possess social media expertise, and demonstrate the ability to work under deadlines and as part of a team. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate extensive expertise in the journalistic application of artificial intelligence, including AI literacy, tool literacy, agentic AI, and vibe coding.

To qualify for one of the 12 available spots, applicants must complete a multi-level application process. This involves submitting creative ideas and participating in an online assessment. The application is typically submitted through the official DW jobs portal.

The program offers excellent career prospects, with many trainees staying with DW as editors, reporters, or correspondents after graduation. Training locations include Bonn, Berlin, and DW’s international offices (e.g., Brussels, Washington, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Riga, Delhi).