The United Nations Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2025 Polio Press Fellowship for Individual Reporting to Africa. This fellowship is geared towards journalists interested in reporting stories on polio eradication in Africa.
Upon participating in a series of virtual polio training sessions, selected journalists will receive funding to travel independently to one or more countries in Africa at the forefront of the polio eradication effort to gather stories and interviews with polio survivors, health care workers, community members, families, and health authorities. Preference will be given to reporters interested in traveling to the following countries: Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Mozambique.
Polio is a highly contagious disease that primarily affects children under the age of five and can cause paralysis and even death. Due to comprehensive eradication efforts, including an effective vaccine, global detection and reporting networks, robust government investment, and dedicated health workers, polio cases have decreased dramatically worldwide. Global polio eradication is in sight, as cases have dropped by more than 99% since 1988.
The final steps towards eradication, however, have proven to be the most challenging, and there is need for continued vigilance and action to avoid a resurgence of polio in affected areas.
The goal of this fellowship is to provide professional journalists with the means to travel outside their country of residence 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.
Application Information:
Interested and eligible journalists must submit an application that includes a project proposal and budget. Applications should reflect each journalist’s unique interest in polio eradication and may involve themes such as: advancements and innovations in polio vaccination and surveillance; the relationship between gender and polio; barriers to reaching unvaccinated children; and the impact of climate change, misinformation, urbanization, conflict, and other global challenges to polio eradication.
We will consider projects across all media platforms (including print, photography, audio, and video) for publication by one or more national or international media 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 and publishing similar news content for reputable global or national outlets.
We are committed to supporting journalists from diverse backgrounds and of all nationalities. While stories may be published in any language, basic English skills are necessary to participate in the fellowship interviews, training, and other required activities.
Freelance journalists are welcome to apply.
Multi-person teams may submit a joint project proposal, however, the maximum award amount per project remains the same.
Funding for this press fellowship is made possible through financial support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Two award categories are available, small awards (under $5,000) or large awards (up to $10,000). Please apply for the appropriate award category based on your project needs, such as distance/cost of travel and level of production. Applicants must include a budget proposal with a cost breakdown for transportation, visa fees, accommodation, interpretation, and other travel expenses in their application.
Please note: Accepted fellows are responsible for obtaining visas and any required authorizations for their selected reporting countries. While the UN Foundation will provide a letter of support for the journalist’s application, we are unable to intervene in visa/authorization processes.
Timeline:
Applications received no later than January 3, 2025.
Selected fellows notified by early February 2025.
Mandatory virtual training sessions held in late February 2025.
Reporting trips conducted by the end of June 2025.
