About the opportunity
The MSF Eastern Africa Media Fellowship Programme empowers journalists to tell compelling, nuanced stories about pressing humanitarian and health issues Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) responds to in Eastern Africa. Launched in 2024, the fellowship serves as a bridge between the humanitarian sector and the media, deepening reporting on underreported crises ranging from conflict, displacement, and climate impacts to malnutrition and disease outbreaks across Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
Funding and benefits
- Specialized training workshops facilitated by respected media and communication professionals on reporting humanitarian stories
- Full coverage of costs for field project visits and content collection
- Direct access to MSF field operations, projects, and medical experts to support in-depth reporting
Who can apply?
- Open to journalists based and publishing in Eastern Africa
- Minimum of three years of professional work experience in journalism
- Affiliation with a media organization, or official accreditation with a relevant regulator if working as a freelancer
- Demonstrated commitment to travel for content collection and publish stories within the fellowship timelines
- Kenya track: Open to accredited journalists from any Eastern Africa country
- Ethiopia track: Open to Ethiopian nationals or journalists based in Ethiopia
- South Sudan track: Open to accredited journalists in any Eastern Africa country (must show audience relevance if reporting outside home country)
- Tanzania track: Open to Tanzanian nationals or journalists based in Tanzania
Required documents
- Reference letter from a relevant editor
- Letter of interest demonstrating interest in any of the thematic tracks (including explanation of story relevance to audience if reporting outside home country)
- Links to three recently published stories
- Proof of media affiliation or regulatory accreditation (for freelancers)
When to apply
- Application deadline: September 8, 2026
How to apply
- Review the thematic tracks and specific country requirements for Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, or Tanzania
- Prepare the required reference letter, motivation letter, published story links, and proof of accreditation/affiliation
- Complete and submit the application via the official MSF online application form
- If selected, participate in a full-day workshop facilitated by a media professional
- Submit story pitches following the workshop to receive project visit and reporting support
Additional information
- Thematic reporting tracks include diabetes, maternal/child health, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and non-communicable diseases in Kenya; refugee healthcare in Gambella, Ethiopia; maternal health, malnutrition, HIV response, mental health, and climate-health links in South Sudan; and pastoralist health promotion and reproductive health in Liwale, Tanzania.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Journalists with at least three years of professional experience based in Eastern Africa.
- Reporters interested in health, conflict, and climate-health links.
- Accredited freelancers or journalists affiliated with a media organization.
What should you think carefully about?
- The fellowship requires a commitment to travel for content collection in the field.
- Applicants must provide a reference letter from an editor and three published stories.
- Eligibility varies by track (e.g., the Ethiopia and Tanzania tracks are restricted to nationals or residents).
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This is a powerful opportunity for a journalist to deepen their reporting on underreported humanitarian crises and gain specialized training and direct access to MSF field operations.
Our take
Professional journalists based in Eastern Africa with a commitment to humanitarian reporting should apply, while those without professional accreditation will find it unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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