Call for Applications: Polio Press Fellowship for Individual Reporting

This fellowship is geared towards journalists interested in reporting stories on polio eradication throughout the world.

Selected fellows are expected to participate in a virtual polio training conducted by the UN Foundation before traveling to a country at the forefront of the polio eradication effort to gather content and interviews related to their proposed topic.

Preference will be given to stories from the following high-priority countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Mozambique, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen.

The goal of this fellowship is to provide professional journalists with the means to travel to areas affected by polio and gather stories to raise global awareness about the importance of polio eradication work as well as the ways in which polio infrastructure can contribute to broader health goals.

Funding Information

• Each selected fellow will receive an award, not to exceed $10,000 USD, to cover expenses for an individual reporting trip in the first half of 2024, based on the project and budget proposal included in their application.
• Covered expenses may include transportation, accommodations, food, visas, and other travel costs. Awards may not be used to purchase equipment.
• Two award categories are available, small awards (under $5,000) or large awards (up to $10,000).

Criteria

• On completion of the trip, fellows are expected to publish their work through reputable media outlets. Both international and local reporters with proven experience publishing in national and/or global outlets are encouraged to apply.
• They will consider projects across all media platforms (including print, photography, audio, and video) for publication by one or more news outlets.
• This fellowship cannot be used to fund books, feature-length films, or works of fiction or to purchase equipment.
• Applicants are expected to demonstrate adequate experience producing similar news content and the necessary connections to ensure publication by a reputable global or national outlet.
• They are committed to supporting journalists from diverse backgrounds and of all nationalities.

For more information, visit United Nations Foundation.