The United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship for Individual Reporting to Africa 2025 is now open for applications. This prestigious fellowship is designed for journalists who wish to report on the global efforts to eradicate polio in Africa. As part of the fellowship, selected journalists will have the opportunity to travel independently to several African countries that are at the forefront of polio eradication efforts. The journalists will collect compelling stories and conduct interviews with key individuals involved in the fight against polio, including survivors, healthcare workers, community members, families, and health authorities.
With funding support from the Gates Foundation, the fellowship aims to raise awareness about polio eradication and highlight the challenges and successes of the global initiative. This is a unique opportunity for journalists to contribute to the international dialogue on public health while reporting on one of the most pressing global health issues today.
Purpose and Goals of the Fellowship
Polio remains a significant health threat in certain regions of the world, particularly in Africa, where targeted eradication efforts are critical to achieving a polio-free world. Despite global progress, the disease continues to affect children under five years old, with devastating consequences such as paralysis and death. The United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship is designed to support journalists in reporting on the continued battle against polio in Africa. Fellows will explore the ongoing efforts to eliminate polio, providing critical coverage of the people, programs, and strategies that have contributed to the success of global eradication campaigns.
The key objectives of the fellowship are:
- Raising awareness: By telling in-depth stories of polio eradication efforts, the fellowship seeks to highlight the progress made and challenges still faced in the fight against polio.
- Increasing public understanding: Journalists will have the chance to share insights into polio vaccination strategies, health system strengthening, and the impact of global partnerships like the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
- Providing a platform for diverse voices: The fellowship aims to include the perspectives of individuals who are directly impacted by polio, such as survivors, healthcare workers, and affected communities, to shed light on their experiences.
Funding and Support
The Polio Press Fellowship offers funding to support travel and reporting activities in Africa. There are two types of financial awards available for successful applicants:
- Small Awards: Up to $5,000 – For journalists working on smaller-scale projects or covering one or two countries.
- Large Awards: Up to $10,000 – For journalists undertaking larger, more comprehensive projects that may involve reporting across multiple countries or platforms.
The fellowship covers expenses related to travel, lodging, and project-related costs, ensuring that journalists have the financial resources needed to carry out their reporting. However, it is important to note that the fellowship cannot be used to fund book projects, feature-length films, works of fiction, or the purchase of equipment.
Eligibility Criteria
The Polio Press Fellowship is open to journalists of all nationalities who are passionate about reporting on polio eradication in Africa. The fellowship is designed to support both freelance journalists and reporters from established media outlets. The application is open to a wide range of media formats, including print, photography, audio, and video.
Applicants should meet the following eligibility criteria:
– Demonstrated Reporting Experience: Applicants must have proven experience producing and publishing content for reputable global or national outlets. The fellowship seeks journalists who have previously covered topics related to public health, global development, human rights, or other similar themes.
– Interest in Polio Eradication: Successful applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in reporting on polio eradication efforts and related themes. This may include topics such as the impact of vaccination programs, the barriers to eradicating polio, the intersection of polio and gender, and the role of climate change and misinformation in global health efforts.
– Language Requirements: While applicants may submit their stories in any language, proficiency in basic English is required. This ensures that fellows can participate in the fellowship’s interviews, training sessions, and required activities effectively.
– Individual or Team Projects: While individual journalists are welcome to apply, multi-person teams may also submit joint project proposals. However, the maximum award per project remains the same regardless of the number of team members.
Preferred Countries for Reporting
Although applicants can choose to report from any African country involved in polio eradication efforts, preference will be given to journalists who plan to travel to the following countries, which have been identified as priority regions for the fellowship:
– Chad
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Ethiopia
– Niger
– Nigeria
– Madagascar
– Mozambique
These countries have been at the forefront of the polio eradication campaign in Africa and offer a rich landscape for storytelling. Fellows may choose to travel to one or more of these countries, depending on their proposed project and interests.
Project Themes and Areas of Focus
The Polio Press Fellowship invites journalists to explore a wide range of themes related to polio eradication. These themes include, but are not limited to:
- Advancements and Innovations in Polio Vaccination and Surveillance: Reporting on new strategies, technological innovations, and best practices in polio vaccination efforts, including surveillance systems that track and monitor outbreaks.
- Gender and Polio: Investigating how gender influences access to polio vaccination, treatment, and care, as well as the broader socio-cultural dynamics that affect women and children in polio-affected communities.
- Barriers to Reaching Unvaccinated Children: Exploring the challenges in vaccinating children in hard-to-reach areas, such as conflict zones, rural regions, and communities facing misinformation about vaccines.
- Impact of Climate Change, Misinformation, and Conflict: Examining how environmental challenges, misinformation campaigns, and ongoing conflicts impact polio eradication efforts in affected countries.
- Community Engagement and Polio Survivors: Highlighting the stories of polio survivors, healthcare workers, and communities that have been directly impacted by the disease, shedding light on their experiences and efforts to eradicate polio.
Journalists are encouraged to bring unique perspectives to these themes and contribute to the global conversation on how to end polio once and for all.
How to Apply
Interested journalists should submit a comprehensive application that includes:
- Project Proposal: A clear and detailed outline of the proposed reporting project, including the countries to be covered, the specific stories or themes to be explored, and the intended media platforms for publication.
- Budget: A breakdown of the expected expenses, including travel, lodging, and other project-related costs, within the funding limits of the fellowship.
Applications should also include evidence of the journalist’s experience in reporting on similar topics, as well as any relevant portfolio materials such as published articles, photos, audio, or video content.
Deadline and Selection Process
Applications for the United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship will be accepted until the specified deadline, which will be announced on the fellowship website. The selection process will be competitive, with a panel of experts evaluating proposals based on their relevance to polio eradication efforts, the journalistic experience of the applicant, and the potential impact of the proposed stories.
The Polio Press Fellowship offers an exciting and impactful opportunity for journalists to report on one of the most significant global health campaigns of our time. By traveling to Africa and documenting the stories of those involved in the fight against polio, journalists can play a key role in raising awareness and driving action toward a polio-free world. With funding support from the Gates Foundation, this fellowship provides the resources needed to carry out meaningful, in-depth reporting on a global health issue that continues to affect millions.
Journalists who are passionate about public health, global development, and human rights are encouraged to apply and contribute to the ongoing effort to eradicate polio in Africa. Through powerful storytelling and careful reporting, fellows can help shed light on the successes, challenges, and untold stories of the polio eradication campaign.
For further details on the application process, eligibility, and deadlines, please visit the United Nations Foundation website below:
