Who is eligible for the fellowship?
The RAF fellowship is open to full-time working journalists between 22 and 35 years of age who are nationals of the following developing countries and countries with economies in transition:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia (Plurinational State of), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
I am a citizen of one of the eligible countries, but I live outside my country and work for an international news outlet. Am I eligible?
Yes, provided that you are a citizen of one of the eligible countries listed above and working full-time as a journalist covering the UN and/or UN priority issues relating to your country of citizenship.
When will the 2026 RAF programme take place?
The programme is expected to be held during a four-week period from September to October 2026, with the modality (fully virtual or partially in-person) to be determined at a later stage.
I am not a full-time journalist, but I am studying/teaching journalism at a higher educational institution. Can I apply?
No, the fellowship is available to full-time working journalists only.
I am a freelance journalist. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, applications from freelance journalists will be considered. Like all applicants, freelance journalists must provide strong work samples relevant to the UN and its priority issues. They are also encouraged to attach documentation of their press accreditation (e.g., membership in a press syndicate, union, or similar association).
How can I apply?
You must apply via the online application form at un.org/en/raf/application2026.
What supporting materials/documents do I need to submit?
You will need to submit the following along with the application form:
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At least five (5) work samples related to the UN and/or its priority issues published in the last 6 months. These can be submitted in your native language.
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Copy of your passport/national ID.
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Your CV in English.
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Two reference letters.
*Applicants must upload all required materials and supporting documents to Google Drive or Dropbox and share the access link in the application form. Please ensure that sharing permissions allow reviewers to view/download all files. Failure to provide the required documents or materials may result in disqualification from the selection process.
I am a television/radio journalist. How should I submit my work samples?
Please share links to your publicly accessible materials if available online in the application form. If it is impossible, upload your samples as media files to a file-sharing platform, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, and include a hyperlink to your samples in the application form. Please ensure that privacy settings permit anyone with the link to view/download the files.
Is English proficiency required?
Yes. Since fellows come from all parts of the world, the programme's common language of communication is English, which is also one of the UN's two working languages. Fellows are also expected to participate fully in briefings and discussions. Fellows can publish their stories in their own language.
My letters of reference are not in English. Do I need to translate them?
No, you do not need to translate your letters of reference. Please make sure that full contact information of your references is provided, and please note that all letters are subject to verification.
How do I sign my application?
To complete the application, simply type your name in the declaration field at the bottom of the form. Make sure to click "Submit".
When is the application deadline?
Application for the 2026 RAF programme is open from Monday, 16 February to Friday, 3 April 2026.
How are applications assessed?
Applicants are assessed based on a series of factors, including: your age, your professional experience, your coverage of the UN’s work, the strength of your portfolio, and your audience reach. Consideration is also given to geographic diversity and gender parity.