Ten journalists from least developed countries will travel to Doha for a major United Nations review meeting, with travel and daily costs covered. Run by the UN Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS), the fellowship takes fellows to the Doha Programme of Action Midterm Review from 25 to 27 March. It is short and built around real reporting, not classroom study.
It is tied to one event and one subject: how least developed countries are progressing under the Doha Programme of Action, the UN plan guiding development support for them. If you already report on development, poverty, trade, climate, or public services in your country, this fellowship puts you in the room where governments review that progress.
What fellows actually receive in Doha
The fellowship covers round-trip economy-class travel to Doha and a daily subsistence allowance for accommodation and meals, paid under UN rules. In plain terms, the daily allowance is a fixed daily payment for where you stay and what you eat, rather than a salary. Fellows also join pre-conference orientation and briefings before the review. There is no application fee, and genuine UN programmes never charge you to apply.
| Detail | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
| Organiser | UN-OHRLLS |
| Fellows | 10 journalists |
| Event | DPoA Midterm Review, Doha, Qatar, 25–27 March |
| Costs covered | Round-trip economy travel plus a daily allowance for accommodation and meals |
| Extra support | Pre-conference orientation and fellowship briefings |
| Fee | None |
| Reporting duty | Three outputs: one before, one during, one after the Review |
| Deadline | 30 November (no time of day stated on the official page) |
Who can apply, and who should not
The eligibility rule is narrow, so check it before you spend time on an application. You must be a national of one of the 44 Least Developed Countries, aged 18 or over, with at least two years of professional journalism experience. Your work must be regularly published or broadcast by a recognised media outlet. All of these conditions apply together, so meeting only one or two of them is not enough.
That also tells you who should not apply. If you are not a national of a least developed country, have less than two years of professional experience, or your work is not regularly published or broadcast by a recognised outlet, this fellowship is not for you. Student journalists, writers without a recognised outlet, and journalists from other countries should look at other fellowships instead.
One honest gap: the official page states no time of day for the deadline, so do not assume you have until midnight in your time zone. Submit well before 30 November, ideally days early.
The three stories you must produce
This fellowship asks for real published work, not just attendance. Each fellow must produce three substantive journalism outputs: one before the Review, one during it, and one after it, sharing the publication links by 30 April. Substantive means serious, reported pieces, not short social media posts.
Think about this before you apply, because it shapes the whole experience. The story before the Review could examine what the Doha Programme of Action means for your country. The story during the event could report what governments actually say and agree in Doha. The story after the event could follow up on what happens back home. Talk to your editor early, since you need an outlet willing to publish all three.
How to make your application stand out
With only 10 places, selectors need a fast way to tell serious applicants from casual ones. Your strongest evidence is your published work, so choose clips showing reporting on development issues, not just general news. Two or three strong pieces showing you interviewing people and explaining a complex issue simply beat a long list of links. Be specific about your country angle: which communities are affected, and which questions would you ask in Doha for your readers? Keep everything honest, and never exaggerate your role in a story.
How to apply
Follow these steps on the official page:
- Read the full fellowship announcement and confirm you meet every eligibility condition.
- Prepare your strongest published or broadcast work and a clear account of your experience.
- Complete the application before the 30 November deadline.
- Keep a copy of everything you submit, in case you are shortlisted.
What happens after you apply
The official page publishes no detailed selection timetable, so do not expect instant confirmation. If you are selected, plan your travel, orientation, and three stories. If you are not, the work is not wasted: your country angle and clips can be reused for other fellowships. Do not confuse this with the JSK Journalism Fellowships at Stanford, a different programme with a different organiser, audience, and event.
Other fellowships worth a look
If this Doha fellowship does not fit you, these published fellowships may suit you better. The ifa CrossCulture Programme Fellowship brings professionals together for exchange across countries. The JSK Journalism Fellowships at Stanford offer journalists a longer period of study at a university. The Fisher Family Summer Fellows programme at Stanford focuses on democracy and development for mid-career professionals.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Who is eligible for the DPoA Journalism Fellowship?
A: Journalists aged 18 or over, nationals of one of the 44 Least Developed Countries, with at least two years of professional experience and work regularly published or broadcast by a recognised outlet.
Q: What costs does the fellowship cover?
A: Round-trip economy-class travel to Doha and a daily subsistence allowance for accommodation and meals under UN rules, plus orientation and briefings. There is no application fee.
Q: What work must fellows produce?
A: Three substantive journalism outputs: one before, one during, and one after the Review, with publication links shared by 30 April.
Q: When is the application deadline?
A: 30 November. No time of day is stated on the official page, so apply early rather than waiting until the final day.
