The UN DPoA MTR Journalism Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded international journalism opportunity for professional journalists from the world's 44 Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Organised by UN-OHRLLS, the fellowship will select 10 journalists to travel to Doha, Qatar, and report on the High-level Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA), scheduled for 25–27 March 2027.
Complete guide to the UN DPoA MTR Journalism Fellowship 2027, covering the organising body, fellowship type, location, eligibility, experience required, benefits and funding, required documents, reporting outputs, application steps, important dates, terms and conditions, pro tips and FAQs.
Quick Highlights: UN DPoA MTR Journalism Fellowship 2027
Parameter
Details
Organization
United Nations Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS)
About UN-OHRLLS and the DPoA MTR Journalism Fellowship
UN-OHRLLS is the United Nations office supporting the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. The fellowship supports journalists who can explain international sustainable development commitments in ways that are relevant and accessible to audiences in LDCs.
Area
Details
Fellowship focus
Strengthening reporting on sustainable development, international cooperation, economic transformation, climate resilience, education, technology and other issues affecting LDCs
Event covered
High-level Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action (DPoA)
Purpose of the DPoA
Overarching framework to accelerate sustainable development in LDCs and support their sustainable graduation from the LDC category
Role of the Midterm Review
Assess implementation, identify progress and gaps, and strengthen partnerships for the remainder of the decade
Fellowship goal
Help audiences in LDCs understand sustainable development priorities and the progress being made towards them
Reporting scope
Stories before, during and after the Review that connect outcomes with audience concerns and priorities
Key Responsibilities: Fellowship Deliverables and Reporting Outputs
Before the Midterm Review
Responsibility
Details
Required output
Publish one journalism output before the Review
Objective
Build awareness of the upcoming Midterm Review and relevant DPoA issues
Possible content
Introduce audiences to the purpose of the Review, explain why it matters, or examine development priorities that will be discussed
Timing
Before the Midterm Review (25–27 March 2027)
During the Midterm Review
Responsibility
Details
Required output
Publish one journalism output during the Review
Objective
Reflect key discussions, announcements or perspectives emerging from Doha
Possible content
Explain the significance of relevant developments for audiences, particularly those in LDCs
Timing
During the Midterm Review, 25–27 March 2027, Doha, Qatar
After the Midterm Review
Responsibility
Details
Required output
Publish one journalism output after the Review
Objective
Examine outcomes, implications and possible next steps for LDC audiences
Possible content
Explain what discussions mean for DPoA implementation and why commitments or priorities matter
Timing
After the Review; publication links due by 30 April 2027
Other Fellowship Commitments
Responsibility
Details
Minimum outputs
At least three substantive journalism outputs published before, during and after the Midterm Review
Participation
Attend required fellowship briefings and programme activities
Orientation
Take part in pre-conference orientation activities, with an online orientation scheduled for February 2027
Professional conduct
Observe professional ethics, accuracy, fairness, safety, applicable law and venue rules
Final submission
Share links to published outputs by 30 April 2027
Six Priority Areas for Journalism Proposals
The United Nations encourages applicants to develop reporting proposals engaging one or more of the six DPoA priority areas.
Priority Area
Details
Investing in People
Eradicating poverty, improving health and education, strengthening social protection and building human capital so that no one is left behind
Leveraging Science, Technology and Innovation
Using science, technology and innovation to address multidimensional vulnerabilities, close the digital divide and accelerate progress towards the SDGs
Supporting Structural Transformation
Diversifying and modernising economies to create sustainable, inclusive growth and reduce dependency on volatile sectors
Enhancing International Trade and Regional Integration
Expanding LDCs' access to global markets, strengthening regional cooperation and improving trade facilitation
Addressing Climate Change, Environmental Degradation and Resilience
Climate risks, ecosystem restoration, recovery from COVID-19 impacts and the ability to adapt to future shocks
Mobilising International Solidarity and Partnerships
International cooperation, innovative financing and support mechanisms to help LDCs achieve sustainable graduation
Reporting Proposal Requirements
A well-developed proposal should establish the points below.
Proposal Element
Details
Central issue
The central issue or question the journalist intends to investigate
Audience relevance
Why the issue matters to audiences in Least Developed Countries
Public understanding
How the proposed reporting will improve public understanding of DPoA implementation
Formats
The formats the journalist intends to use
Outlets and dissemination
Intended publication outlets and dissemination strategy
Connection
A clear link between the Midterm Review, the DPoA and the realities facing the intended audience
Focus
Concentrate on one or more priority areas rather than every aspect of the DPoA
Minimum Qualifications and Experience
Requirement
Details
Age
At least 18 years old
Nationality
National of one of the 44 Least Developed Countries
Professional status
Bona fide journalist whose work is regularly published or broadcast by a recognised media outlet; staff and freelance journalists may apply
Experience
At least two years of professional journalism experience
Availability
Willing and able to travel to Doha, Qatar, for the Midterm Review (25–27 March 2027) and participate in all required briefings and programme activities
Interest
Demonstrated interest in sustainable development, particularly in one or more of the six DPoA priority areas
Application fee
None
Additional Skills That Strengthen an Application
Skill
Details
Development reporting
Experience covering education, health, poverty reduction, science and technology, economic transformation, international trade, climate resilience or development partnerships
Clear explanation
Ability to explain issues, provide relevant context and communicate information to an audience
Multiformat journalism
Experience across print, online, radio, television or multimedia and digital journalism projects
Focused proposal writing
Ability to connect a clear reporting question to one or more DPoA priority areas and explain its relevance to LDC audiences
Planning
Ability to plan reporting before, during and after the Midterm Review and meet the 30 April 2027 publication-link deadline
Who Should Apply
Background
Details
Staff journalists
Yes — must be bona fide journalists with work regularly published or broadcast by a recognised media outlet
Freelance journalists
Yes — provided the professional requirements are met
Journalists with development coverage
Priority consideration — at least one work sample must address development-related issues
Journalists from the 44 Least Developed Countries
Yes — nationality in an eligible LDC is required
Journalists with two or more years of experience
Yes — minimum two years of professional journalism experience
Complete beginners with no professional reporting background
Not eligible — the fellowship is intended for people with practical professional experience
Salary and Employment Benefits
Detail
Information
Fellowship type
Fully funded journalism fellowship
Travel support
Round-trip economy-class travel to Doha, Qatar
Subsistence support
Daily allowance for accommodation and meals in accordance with applicable United Nations rules
Fixed allowance amount
Not specified in the supplied announcement
Cash award
Not specified in the supplied announcement
Orientation
Access to pre-conference orientation activities where applicable; online orientation scheduled for February 2027
Briefings and networking
Access to fellowship briefings and networking opportunities
Professional opportunity
Produce and publish at least three substantive journalism outputs on an international development review
Application fee
None
Conditions
Selection does not automatically guarantee conference accreditation, visa issuance or travel clearance; participation is subject to completion of required administrative and travel formalities
Documents Required
Document
Details
Short professional biography
No more than 300 words
Published journalism work samples
Two published pieces; at least one must address development-related issues
Reporting proposal
No more than 400 words
How to Apply
Step
Action
1
Prepare a short professional biography of no more than 300 words covering current position and media affiliation(s), years of journalism experience, areas of reporting expertise, languages spoken and previous experience related to DPoA priority areas
2
Submit two published journalism work samples in formats such as print, online, radio, television, multimedia or digital journalism projects, with at least one addressing development-related issues
3
Develop a reporting proposal of no more than 400 words explaining story angles, why the issues matter to LDC audiences, how reporting will build understanding of DPoA implementation, planned formats and publication strategy
4
Complete the official online application form through the UN-OHRLLS fellowship application portal and check all fields, word limits and work samples before submitting
5
Submit before the deadline of 30 November 2026; late and incomplete applications will not be considered
Application Checklist
Check
Requirement
All required fields
Completed
Biography
Does not exceed 300 words
Reporting proposal
Does not exceed 400 words
Work samples
Two published work samples provided
Development coverage
At least one work sample addresses development-related issues
Proposal connection
Clear link to the Midterm Review and DPoA implementation
Information accuracy
Information supplied is true, current and complete
Verification
The United Nations may verify information and may reject late, incomplete, false, misleading or non-compliant applications
Important Dates
Milestone
Indicative date
Open call
27 September – 19 November 2026
Application deadline stated on the fellowship page
30 November 2026
Eligibility and scoring
22 November – 17 December 2026
Award letters sent
Before 31 December 2026
Online orientation
February 2027
Midterm Review in Doha, Qatar
25–27 March 2027
Deadline to share publication links
30 April 2027
Post-fellowship reporting and review
Within six weeks after the Midterm Review
Terms and Conditions
Applicants must agree to the programme's terms and confirm that the information submitted is true, current and complete.
Area
Conditions
Application requirements
Applications must be submitted through the online portal by the stated deadline, follow the published format, word limits and document requirements, and carry no application fee
Verification
UN-OHRLLS may verify information supplied by applicants
Rejection grounds
Late, incomplete, false, misleading or non-compliant applications may be rejected
Selection and participation
Selection does not guarantee conference accreditation, visa issuance or travel clearance; final participation depends on completing all required administrative and travel formalities
Reporting commitments
Fellows must participate in required activities and produce and publish at least three substantive journalism outputs, with publication links shared by 30 April 2027
Professional conduct
Fellows are expected to observe professional ethics, accuracy, fairness, safety, applicable law and venue rules
Other sections
The announcement lists sections on award and travel, participation and outputs, intellectual property and permission, and personal data, but their detailed provisions were not included in the supplied text; read the complete official terms before applying
Pro Tips for a Strong Application
Tip
Details
Choose a focused development issue
Select one or more DPoA priority areas and identify a clear question or story angle that matters to audiences in your country
Demonstrate professional experience
Use your biography to communicate your current role, media affiliation, years of experience, reporting expertise and relevant development coverage
Select relevant work samples
Provide two published pieces that demonstrate your reporting ability, ensuring at least one addresses a development-related issue
Make the proposal specific
Explain what you intend to investigate, why it matters to LDC audiences, the formats you plan to use and where you expect to publish
Respect all word limits
Keep the biography within 300 words and the reporting proposal within 400 words
Plan the three required outputs
Think through reporting before, during and after the Midterm Review and how you will meet the 30 April 2027 deadline
Check travel requirements early
Do not assume that selection automatically guarantees permission to travel
Apply early and monitor updates
Leave sufficient time to complete materials; the stated deadline is 30 November 2026
Important Links (Direct URLs)
Description
URL
Check your eligibility (official eligibility list)
Q1. What is the UN DPoA MTR Journalism Fellowship 2027?
It is a fully funded international journalism fellowship organised by UN-OHRLLS that enables 10 journalists from the world's 44 Least Developed Countries to report on the High-level Midterm Review of the Doha Programme of Action in Doha, Qatar, from 25–27 March 2027.
Q2. Is the fellowship fully funded?
Yes. Selected fellows receive round-trip economy-class travel to Doha and a daily subsistence allowance for accommodation and meals under applicable United Nations rules, plus access to fellowship briefings, networking opportunities and pre-conference orientation activities where applicable. No fixed cash award or specific daily allowance amount is stated.
Q3. How many journalists will be selected?
The fellowship will select 10 journalists from eligible Least Developed Countries.
Q4. What is the application deadline?
The stated application deadline is 30 November 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Q5. Is there an application fee?
No. The application is free.
Q6. Where will the fellowship take place?
The Midterm Review will take place in Doha, Qatar, from 25 to 27 March 2027. Selected fellows must be willing and able to travel to Doha and participate in required programme activities.
Q7. Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. The eligibility criteria accept staff and freelance journalists, provided they are bona fide journalists whose work is regularly published or broadcast by a recognised media outlet and they meet the other requirements.
Q8. How much journalism experience is required?
Applicants must have at least two years of professional journalism experience.
Q9. What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a professional biography of up to 300 words, two published journalism work samples and a reporting proposal of up to 400 words. At least one work sample must address development-related issues.
Q10. How many outputs must fellows publish?
Selected fellows must produce and publish at least three substantive journalism outputs — one before the Midterm Review, one during the event and one after the event — and share the publication links by 30 April 2027.
Q11. Does selection guarantee a visa or conference accreditation?
No. The official terms state that selection does not guarantee conference accreditation, visa issuance or travel clearance. Final participation is subject to completion of the required administrative and travel formalities.
Final Call-to-Action
Step
Action
1
Confirm your nationality is on the official list of 44 Least Developed Countries using the official eligibility list
2
Prepare a biography of up to 300 words, two published work samples and a reporting proposal of up to 400 words
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