MSF Without Borders Media Fellowship 2026 - ApplyNOW

Full Job Description

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia, in partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), is inviting applications for the 2026 Without Borders Media Fellowship.

The fellowship supports journalists, photographers, filmmakers, digital media influencers and newsroom editors interested in producing in-depth reporting on humanitarian and public health challenges across South Asia.

Selected fellows will receive financial support for reporting expenses, mentorship, training and access to public health and humanitarian experts.

1. Msf General Grant

The General Grant is open to eligible media professionals across South Asia.

Applicants may submit reporting proposals covering:

• Tuberculosis and HIV

• Health impacts of climate change

• Women’s health

• Impact of caste on health

• Health misinformation

• Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

• Digital and mobile health

• Healthcare access in conflict settings

• Migration, displacement and refugees

• Mental health

2. Msf Dndi Grant On Neglected Tropical Diseases

This grant supports reporting on neglected tropical diseases, including:

• Lymphatic filariasis (hathipaon)
• Visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar)
• Mycetoma
• Dengue
• Snakebite

Eligibility restriction: This grant is available only to applicants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be journalists, photographers, filmmakers, radio/audio journalists, digital media professionals or newsroom editors working across South Asia.

• Have at least three years of professional experience.

• Submit applications in English.

• Present an innovative and well-researched reporting proposal addressing a significant humanitarian or public health issue.

• Demonstrate alignment with MSF’s humanitarian mission and values.

• Provide evidence of a media outlet’s interest or commitment to publishing the proposed work.

Both freelance and employed journalists are eligible. Former fellows may also apply.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• Funding for approved reporting and field travel expenses.

• Mentorship from experienced journalists and public health specialists.

• Training and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

• Access to MSF medical and humanitarian experts.

• Support in developing and producing in-depth reporting.

Funding note: The grant primarily covers reporting and travel expenses, rather than salaries. Stipends may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare the following:

• A detailed story proposal of 500–750 words.
• A reporting plan, including locations, timelines and potential risks.
• A letter of commitment or interest from a media organisation.
• Three examples of recently published relevant work.
• A statement of motivation of approximately 300 words.
• An updated CV or résumé.
• Contact details of two professional references.
• Proposed stakeholders, collaborators and anticipated publication date.

Expected Fellowship Deliverables

Selected fellows must produce publishable journalistic work in their chosen format.

For print or digital journalism, this may include two articles of at least 800 words each or one long-form article of at least 1,500 words.

Multimedia fellows may produce a video report, short film, photo essay or video series according to the fellowship’s specifications.

How to apply

Interested applicants should review the official fellowship guidelines and submit their proposals through the MSF South Asia website.

Official Application Link: Apply for the MSF Without Borders Media Fellowship 2026

Applicants must:

• Be journalists, photographers, filmmakers, radio/audio journalists, digital media professionals or newsroom editors working across South Asia.

• Have at least three years of professional experience.

• Submit applications in English.

• Present an innovative and well-researched reporting proposal addressing a significant humanitarian or public health issue.

• Demonstrate alignment with MSF’s humanitarian mission and values.

• Provide evidence of a media outlet’s interest or commitment to publishing the proposed work.

Both freelance and employed journalists are eligible. Former fellows may also apply.

Applicants should prepare the following:

• A detailed story proposal of 500–750 words.
• A reporting plan, including locations, timelines and potential risks.
• A letter of commitment or interest from a media organisation.
• Three examples of recently published relevant work.
• A statement of motivation of approximately 300 words.
• An updated CV or résumé.
• Contact details of two professional references.
• Proposed stakeholders, collaborators and anticipated publication date.