The George Weidenfeld Bursary

The British-German Journalists' Conference

Every year, The IJP George Weidenfeld Bursary gives British and German journalists the opportunity to gain work experience in the other country. Delegates work in British or German newsrooms of their choice while also researching stories for their home organisations. By fully taking part in the day-to-day journalism, the participants will get a valuable insight into the way the media work differently in Germany and in the UK as well as they will learn more about politics, economy, culture and the social fabric of the host country. The bursary was endowed in 1995. Five years later, it was named after the London-based publisher Lord Weidenfeld of Chelsea.

As a thorough preparation of their stay the delegates come together at the long-established The British-German Journalists' Conference where they will also meet many Alumni of the programme. For both the British and the German participants the event is an outstanding opportunity to discuss contemporary issues from a British and from a German perspective through conversations with leading figures of the current political, economic and social scene as well as with many colleagues from the media industry. It allows delegates to bring themselves up to date on the developments and similarities in the relations of the two countries to one another and within the European Union. The Conference was initiated in 1986 under the aegis of the German President Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker.

In the case of the regular bursary, delegates receive a lump sum of 2,500 Pounds Sterling or 3,000 Euro, respectively, in order to cover most of their travel, accommodation and living expenses. Delegates are expected to use their own funds for any further costs. Payment for their work with the host media is not envisaged. British delegates may request additional funds to finance any German language tuition required.

Journalists between the age of 23 and 39 years who regularly contribute as staff or freelance journalists to the German or British media can apply. German candidates are expected to have fluent English and the ability of British candidates to speak and write German is taken into consideration when awarding bursaries. The Conference is primarily conducted in English. IJP put great emphasis on intensive individual preparation by participants prior to departure and look for applicants with relevant interests and expertise.

All applicants are asked to send the following documents (in English language) to either address given in the right margin of this page:

• a Curriculum Vitae
• a completed application form (Download)
• an brief text on the reasons which form the interest in this programme
• a short description of possible journalistic plans in the host country. This should not be more than 3 topic outlines
• a list of three preferred host media organisations (name, town).

If applicants are in contact with media organisations and if they have worked for any media organisation in the host country this should be indicated.

In addition applicants are asked to supply:

• a journalistic reference from a departmental head or the editor (this document can be in German). This reference letter should support the applicant's case and also guarantee leave of absence for the duration of the programme
• a passport photograph for the programme booklet.

Please note that application material will not be returned in every
case. Make sure that you do not submit original  documents and let us know if you want your material back.

In 2009, as in previous years, a selection panel made up of five senior journalists from the two countries will consider applications. The panel can include former participants of the programme as well as at least one member of IJP board.

Through its exchange programmes, IJP supports journalists in two ways: It provides a unique vocational qualification and new career horizons and for the participants. Secondly, it promotes Germany and the UK abroad and contributes to more indepth and informed reporting of foreign affairs in the British and the German media. At the same time, the IJP Alumni network fosters professional and personal contacts amongst participants. More than 1,800 journalists have taken part in IJP programmes since 1988.

The world-wide IJP alumni network is unique. Many former delegates of IJP programmes are distinguished correspondents, reporters or book authors. Some hold leading editorial as well as managerial positions in the international media industry. Exchange of ideas amongst them is an important aim of the IJP. Regular Alumni events and newsletters keep all former participants up to date on the current programmes and on colleagues with whom they have in many cases developed very good personal contacts and become friends. Meetings such as regular (annual) Alumni dinners as well as informal events such as picnics, brunches and other trips are part of IJP's Alumni reunion activities.

Keynote Speakers at the Alumni-dinner of the IJP's British-German Programmes:

2000: Richard von Weizsaecker, former German President (in Berlin)
2001: The Lord Hurd of Westwell, former Secretary of State (in London)
2002: Andrew Gowers, then editor of the Financial Times and founder
of the Financial Times Deutschland (in London)
2003: Helmut Kohl, former German Chancellor (in Berlin)
2004: Thomas Middelhoff, former CEO of Bertelsmann, now CEO of
KarstatdtQuelle AG and a board member of the New York Times (in London)
2005: The Lord May of Oxford, then President of The Royal Society (in
Berlin)
2006: Otto Schily, former German Minister of the Interior (in Berlin)
2006: David Schlesinger, Global Managing Editor of Reuters plc. (in London)
2007: David Montgomery, CEO of Mecom (in London); Hans-Werner Kilz, Editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung (in Berlin)
2008: Alan Rusbridger, Editor, The Guardian (in London); Alexander Dibelius, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs & Co (in Berlin).

Media organisations in United Kingdom which have contributed in the past include: BBC Radio, BBC Television, BBC Online, The Economist, The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Independent, ITN, The News of the World, The Observer, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, Thomson Reuters, The Times, Wallpaper etc.

German media organisations which have contributed in the past include: Arte, Berliner Zeitung, Deutsche Welle, Financial Times Deutschland, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurter Rundschau, Handelsblatt, Hessischer Rundfunk, Kieler Nachrichten, Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Spiegel Online, Stuttgarter Zeitung, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Der Tagesspiegel, die tageszeitung, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Die Welt, ZDF etc.

Like all IJP programmes, IJP's British-German Journalists' Programmes (both the Bursary and the Conference) rely year after year on the moral and financial support from the public and the private sector.

The patrons of IJP's British-German Journalists' Programmes are the incumbent ambassadors of the respective countries:

Sir Michael Anthony Arthur
Georg Boomgaarden

The main sponsors of the IJPs German-British Journalists' Programmes are both governments: the Auswärtiges Amt in Berlin the Foreign- and Commonwealth Office in London. For many years, the FAZIT Foundation of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has been supporting the programme very actively. Moreover, IJP's British-German Journalists' Programmes receives financial support from a small circle of major sponsors:

• BP International, London
• AWD Holding, Hannover
• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurt
• Goldman Sachs Germany, Frankfurt
• Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., London
• Imperial Tobacco plc, Bristol
• Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart
• Rolls-Royce, London
• WestLB, Düssseldorf
• Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd, London