United Nations Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship

Applications are being accepted for the United Nations Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship 2025. The RAF Fellowship invites young journalists (ages 22–35) from developing countries and transitioning economies to apply for the 2025 program, which runs from September to October.

The program, which takes place every autumn at UN Headquarters, brings together a selected group of journalists virtually/in New York to cover the opening of the General Assembly for their respective news outlets. The UN General Assembly Resolution 35/201 established the Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship in December 1980. Formerly known as the DPI Training Program for Broadcasters and Journalists from Developing Countries, the program was renamed in 2003, honoring Reham Al-Farra, a 29-year-old Jordanian public information officer killed in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad on August 19, 2003.

Key Details

Organized by: United Nations

Application Deadline: 31 March 2025

Duration: September to October 2025

Location: Fully virtual, hybrid, or in-person

Eligible Countries: Countries listed below

Eligible Gender: Male/Female

Benefits of Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship

Benefits of the Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship:

Unique Opportunity: Provides a distinctive chance for young journalists (22 to 35) from developing countries and economies in transition to cover the United Nations.
Tribute to Reham Al-Farra: Honors the memory of Reham Al-Farra, a Jordanian public information officer killed in the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad.
UN General Assembly Coverage: Hosted at UN Headquarters every autumn, Fellows cover the opening of the General Assembly, gaining firsthand experience and insights into global diplomatic proceedings.
Access to High-Level Officials: Fellows get the opportunity to attend special briefings, interview senior UN officials, and engage with prominent figures such as the UN Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General, and President of the General Assembly.
Global Networking: The program enables fellows to exchange ideas and build professional relationships with journalists from around the world, fostering a global network of media professionals.
Media Organization Visits: Organizes visits to reputable news organizations like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and ProPublica, providing exposure to diverse journalistic practices and environments.
Historical Relevance: Established in 1981, the fellowship has a longstanding history, having been awarded to 652 journalists from 168 countries, contributing to its credibility and impact.
Continued Professional Development: While not providing basic skills training, the program enhances the skills and knowledge of working journalists, ensuring they stay updated on global issues and diplomatic affairs.
Promoting Understanding of the UN: Fellows are expected to contribute to promoting a better understanding of the United Nations in their home countries, thus fostering informed reporting on international affairs.
Commitment to Journalism: Upon completion of the program, fellows are encouraged to continue working in journalism, contributing to the development and growth of media in their respective regions.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must:

Be between the ages of 22 to 35.
Work as a full-time journalist.
Be fluent in both written and spoken English.
Must be a national of a developing or transitional country, as defined by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Eligibility for the RAF Fellowship

The fellowship is open to full-time journalists aged 22–35 from the following developing countries and economies in transition:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, 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, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, State of Palestine, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Required Materials

You will need the following documents:

At least six (6) work samples related to the UN and its priority issues have been published in the last 6 months. These can be submitted in the original language
CV in English or French
A completed application with strong answers to the relevant questions in the application form
Two reference letters

How to apply for the UN Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship?

Interested and eligible journalists can apply online through the link below.

Apply Now

You may also be eligible for these opportunities:

Oxford Executive Diploma Scholarship for Women in 2025

ADB-JSP Scholarships for ADB Member Countries 2025

Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships 2025 at Trinity College Dublin

For further information about the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship, please visit the UN’s website.

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