- Who is eligible for the fellowship?
- I am a citizen of one of the eligible countries, but I live in the United States and work for an American news outlet. Am I eligible?
- I am not a full-time journalist, but I am studying journalism/communications at university. Can I apply?
- I am a freelance journalist. Am I eligible to apply?
- Why is English proficiency required?
- How can I apply?
- What materials do I need to apply?
- I am a television/radio journalist. How should I submit my work samples?
- My letter or reference is not in English. Do I need to translate it?
- I do not have all the information to complete my application. Can I save my entries and return to it later?
- How do I submit my application?
- When is the application deadline?
- How are applications assessed?
- When will the programme take place?
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 and residents of the following countries with developing economies or economies in transition:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine (State of), Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Russia, 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, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
No, fellows must be both citizens of one of the eligible countries listed above and working full-time for a news outlet based there.
No, the fellowship is available to full-time, experienced journalists only.
I am a freelance journalist. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes, applications from freelance journalists will be considered. As with all applicants, freelance journalists must provide strong work samples relevant to the United Nations’ priorities. Where applicable, they are also encouraged to attach documentation of their press accreditation (e.g., membership in a press syndicate, union or similar association).
Why is English proficiency required?
Fellows are expected to participate in a series of briefings and discussions. Since fellows come from all parts of the world, the common language of communication during the programme is English, which is also one of the two working languages of the United Nations. Fellows can publish their stories in their own language.
You must apply via the online application form.
What materials do I need to apply?
You will need the following documents:
1. Three (3) published work samples related to international affairs. These can be submitted in their original language. Please include a brief summary in English for material that is not submitted in one of the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.
2. Your curriculum vitae in English or French
4. A completed application with strong answers to the open-ended questions.
I am a television/radio journalist. How should I submit my work samples?
Please share a link to any publicly accessible mateiral or upload your sample to a free file sharing platform, such as YouTube, Google Drive or Dropbox. Include a hyperlink to your sample in the work sample field on the application form. Please make sure your privacy settings permit anyone with the link to view the material.
My letter or reference is not in English. Do I need to translate it?
No, you do not need to translate your letter of reference. Please make sure your referee includes his/her full contact details. All letters are subject to verification.
Yes, the application does not need to be completed in one session. Use your login credentials to return to the application.
How do I submit my application?
To submit the application, simply type your name in the declaration field at the bottom of the form and click "submit".
When is the application deadline?
Applications for the RAF Fellowship will resume in 2024.
How are applications assessed?
Applicants are assessed based on the strength of their portfolio and its relevance to the work of the United Nations, as well as audience reach. Consideration is also given to geographic diversity and gender parity.
When will the programme take place?
The programme will be held for three weeks around the start of the General Assembly in September (dates vary each year)