United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship 2026 for Individual Reporting in Polio-affected Countries

Are you a journalist passionate about global health reporting and committed to covering underreported public health challenges? The United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship 2026 offers you a rare opportunity to conduct impactful on-the-ground reporting in polio-affected countries while receiving full financial support.

This fellowship has been designed to strengthen high-quality journalism on polio eradication, especially in the countries where the disease continues to pose the greatest threat.

2026 United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship

The fellowship empowers selected journalists to travel to priority countries, gather firsthand evidence, interview affected communities, and spotlight the realities behind polio eradication efforts. Through this initiative, the United Nations Foundation aims to amplify critical conversations around vaccination, global health security, and the remaining challenges facing complete eradication.

By offering funding, mandatory training, and editorial guidance, the program ensures that journalists are fully equipped to produce compelling, well-informed stories that can influence public understanding and policy action. As such, it continues to reinforce global awareness about polio’s persistent risks and the ongoing work of frontline health workers across affected regions.

Fellowship Summary

What Is the Polio Press Fellowship All About?

The Polio Press Fellowship is an annual initiative implemented by the United Nations Foundation to advance high-impact storytelling on global polio eradication. It has been established to encourage independent field reporting that highlights the successes, challenges, innovations, and ongoing threats surrounding polio.

Although significant progress has been made worldwide, several countries continue to combat outbreaks due to conflict, misinformation, inaccessibility, and health system limitations. Through this fellowship, journalists receive structured training on polio science, eradication strategies, vaccination systems, and community engagement models.

After the training, fellows travel individually to a selected country to report from the field. This model ensures authentic, thorough, and context-rich storytelling that can only be achieved through firsthand experience.

The fellowship aims to bridge the gap between global eradication strategies and community-level realities by supporting reporting that is both human-centered and evidence-based. Ultimately, it contributes to global awareness, strengthens accountability, and promotes informed policy dialogue.

Preferred Countries for Reporting

Although journalists may propose any polio-affected country, preference will be given to reporters intending to travel to the following eight countries, which remain at the forefront of eradication efforts:

• Papua New Guinea
• Angola
• Chad
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ethiopia
• Namibia
• Nigeria
• Pakistan

These countries were selected due to ongoing risks, recent detections, and systemic barriers that hinder full eradication. Consequently, reporting from these regions supports a deeper understanding of the final stages of global polio elimination.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

To participate in the 2026 United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must be working journalists or freelance reporters with demonstrated experience in health reporting, international affairs, or human-interest storytelling.
• A project proposal and a realistic travel budget must be included in the application.
• Applications must clearly demonstrate the journalist’s editorial focus, proposed reporting region, and interest in polio eradication.
• Proposed stories may explore topics such as:
  • Technological or scientific breakthroughs in polio vaccination
  • Surveillance innovations
  • Gender-related dimensions of polio response
  • Community-level barriers preventing vaccination
  • The effects of climate change, migration, misinformation, or urbanization on eradication efforts
  • Contributions of polio programs to broader healthcare systems
• Journalists must be available to attend compulsory virtual training sessions in late March 2026.
• Selected applicants must be prepared to complete their reporting travel by mid-September 2026.

Notably, applicants may suggest travel to one or two countries, although multi-country reporting will be considered only if both destinations are located in Africa and if funding permits.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected journalists will receive significant financial and professional support, including:

• Funding of up to $7,000 to cover travel, accommodation, and reporting expenses.
• Opportunity to travel independently to one or two polio-affected countries.
• Access to specialized polio training sessions led by global public health experts.
• Guidance on reporting frameworks, ethical considerations, and health safety during travel.
• Direct contact with community leaders, families, health authorities, and vaccination teams.
• Opportunity to produce deeply contextual reports for global audiences.

This financial package ensures that reporters can carry out robust, well-researched assignments without financial barriers.

Required Documents

All applicants must submit the following materials:

• Completed fellowship application form
• Detailed project proposal
• Estimated budget for travel and reporting
• CV or professional résumé
• Work samples demonstrating reporting experience
• Editor’s letter (if affiliated with a media outlet): optional but recommended
• Any additional materials requested by the program

Applications must be clear, original, and focused on storytelling that contributes meaningfully to global awareness of polio.

Application Timeline

The timeline for the 2026 fellowship is as follows:

• Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
• Selection Notifications: Late February 2026
• Mandatory Virtual Training: Late March 2026
• Reporting Travel: By mid-September 2026

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid last-minute submission challenges.

How to Apply

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to applying for the Polio Press Fellowship:

Step 1: Review Program Requirements

Read through all fellowship guidelines to understand expectations, eligibility, and reporting priorities.

Step 2: Prepare Your Project Proposal

Develop a strong proposal that identifies your target country, the specific story angle, and why your reporting will be valuable.

Step 3: Draft Your Budget

Estimate all costs associated with your reporting trip, including flights, lodging, transport, and research expenses.

Step 4: Complete the Application

Compile all required documents and finalize your submission package.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Send your application no later than January 7, 2026, as late submissions will not be accepted.

For questions, applicants may contact the fellowship team at the dedicated email address provided by the program.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Polio eradication remains one of the most ambitious global health goals in history. Although case numbers have significantly declined, the disease continues to challenge vulnerable communities. Journalists play an essential role in telling these stories, shedding light on progress and setbacks, and informing the global public of what remains to be done.

Therefore, the 2026 United Nations Foundation Polio Press Fellowship does more than support journalism; it strengthens global advocacy and contributes to the momentum behind the fight for a polio-free world.

For more details about the fellowship, visit the official program webpage.

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