Media Forward Fund
Development of a fund for innovation projects and start-ups in the field of public interest journalism in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
Technology Journalism Fellowship
Apply now for the 2027 Fellowship!
For four weeks to delve into relevant issues in technology and technology policy and take advantage of extensive networking opportunities, free from the pressures of daily production. Publix’s Tech Journalism Fellowship offers this experience to a group of six selected journalists. During two program phases in Berlin, Brussels, and other European locations, they will engage in dialogue with experts from the fields of research, business, politics, and civil society.
The Fellowship is an exclusive professional development program for technology journalists who demonstrate curiosity, integrity, and potential. Through this program, Publix promotes independent, critical, and forward-looking reporting on technologies and their political, economic, and ethical implications. Fellows deepen their expertise, fill knowledge gaps, and build strong networks.
Funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media. In 2026/2027, the Mercator Switzerland Foundation will, for the first time, fund an additional fellowship for a fellow from Switzerland and participate in the “Reporting the Machines” conference, which takes place annually as part of the fellowship.
The 2027 Annual Focus: Digital Sovereignty
Europe’s dependence on technology infrastructure from the U.S., China, and East Asia is growing, and with it, the question of what this means for freedom, security, and democratic self-determination. Digital sovereignty has become the goal of European digital policy. However, the term is not clearly defined: it can mean operating technology oneself, being able to switch providers, or enforcing European law against foreign providers. Governments, corporations, and associations each interpret it differently. The issue will ultimately hinge on data centers and cloud services, semiconductors, data localization, AI models, and proprietary expertise – and on who controls them: corporations, governments, and the bodies that set standards.
The Fellowship aims to address misunderstandings in this debate and to integrate technical considerations with issues of digital policy. The curated program provides insight into how AI systems work and how they are regulated at the EU and federal levels. After all, we need journalists who can do both: technically examine interdependencies and politically contextualize who is committing to what and what is required for implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What does the Publix Fellowship entail?
- A four-week full-time program divided into two two-week phases, fully organized by Publix for the fellows: an intensive learning journey centered on the annual theme, with stops in Berlin, Brussels, and other locations in Europe
- Discussions in newsrooms as well as with researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, and representatives from politics, government, and civil society
- Behind-the-scenes insights: visits to places where technology is developed, operated, and regulated, with time for questions that don’t usually have a place in the day-to-day newsroom routine
- Small-group exchange: Six Fellows learn together, discuss, and contribute their diverse perspectives
- Time to fully immerse yourself in the program: a one-time salary compensation of 4,300 euros, including a meal allowance, allows you to take time off from professional obligations for both phases
- Free lodging at the Publix Guesthouse during the two weeks in Berlin: modern single rooms with sweeping views of Neukölln, each with its own workspace and bathroom, a shared kitchenette, plus in-house events
- Coverage of travel and lodging expenses as part of the program
- the opportunity to apply insights gained from the fellowship in a journalistic context: Over the course of the year, the fellows will publish 1-2 articles resulting from the fellowship, with a note indicating their origin. Publix will also publish these articles on its own channels
- visibility as part of the program: during the program phases, fellows share their experiences from the fellowship on their social media channels
- Admission to the Publix fellowship’s alumni network
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When does the program take place?
The program takes place in two 14-day phases:
- Program Phase #1: April 12–23, 2027
- Program Phase #2: September 13–24, 2027
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Can I apply for the fellowship?
The Technology Journalism Fellowship is open to tech and digital journalists, as well as journalists covering politics, business, and science. Applicants may be freelancers or full-time employees at local or national media outlets in Germany or Switzerland, work for news agencies, or run their own content on online and social media platforms.
Funding is available to individuals with a long-term interest in this subject area who take a critical approach to technological dependencies and wish to report on infrastructure, regulation, and digital security. Fellows must be residents of Germany or Switzerland and speak both German and English.
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What do I need to submit for my application?
Applications are submitted online via the application form. Please include the following with your application:
- A statement of purpose of no more than 1,500 characters: What interests you about the topic of digital sovereignty, and how does it relate to your journalistic work to date? How do you view the coverage of this topic, and what do you feel is missing from it? What would you like to explore in greater depth or learn for the first time during the fellowship?
- Resume
- A journalistic question on the topic of digital sovereignty (max. 1,000 characters), structured like a short pitch: What question would you like to explore? Why is it relevant? Who would you speak with about it? This outline shows the jury how you develop a journalistic question.
- 2 to 3 representative samples of your work (texts, graphics, links, videos, audio) submitted as a PDF file
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When is the deadline to apply for the 2027 fellowship?
Applications for one of the six spots in the 2027 Fellowship can be submitted via the online form from October 1 through November 15, 2026. Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline cannot be considered. We will notify all applicants of the selection decision in January 2027.
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What is the selection process?
Selection takes place through a multi-stage process. The decision is made by a jury consisting of
- Svea Eckert (freelance tech and investigative journalist, working for NDR and ARD, among others)
- Lisa Hegemann (head of the digital department at ZEIT ONLINE)
- Prof. Dr. Wiebke Loosen (journalism researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research | Hans-Bredow Institute and professor at the University of Hamburg), and
- Maria Exner (Director of Publix).
The jury evaluates letters of motivation, journalistic questions, and work samples.
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When will I find out if I have been selected for the fellowship?
All applicants will receive notification of the selection decision via email in January 2027. Please understand that we do not provide reasons for our decisions. There is no legal entitlement to a fellowship.
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Can't find the answer to your question here?
Please direct any questions about the program's content and structure, as well as the application and selection process, to Dr. Eva von Grafenstein: eva.vongrafenstein@publix.de
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