If you are a news director applying for the program, your letter of recommendation should come from your general manager. Final decisions are rendered in writing approximately eight weeks after the application deadline. The two-week core program is tightly scheduled. No other time is available for pursuit of individual stories during the core program. However, the extension program exists to give journalists more time to pursue individual stories.
Participants work out a schedule among themselves for use of the crew.
Other alternatives include hiring your own crew, using a network crew which you have arranged yourself, or bringing your own equipment. Groups range from 12 to 20 diverse participants, and represent a range of experience levels, market sizes and geographic locations. Participants are responsible for passport and visa fees as needed, telephone, laundry, airport parking and transfers from home to airport in the U.S., meal expenses in excess of the provided per diem, and any other personal expenses. Many participants stay longer in Germany or travel to other countries in Europe at their own expense after the program. Although spouses and families are not permitted on the program, they can join participants after the program is over for personal travel.