To all professional journalists working in the fields of climate, agriculture, development, business, food, or related areas: we have an exciting, fully funded fellowship opportunity offered by one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations that you should not miss. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), through its official portal, has announced a call for applications for its flagship “UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship” for the 2026 session, seeking applications from talented journalists (full-time or freelance) with a strong track record of reporting on food systems, agriculture, environment, climate, or related issues.
The fellows will cover the COP17 conference, convening in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17-28, 2026. During the program, fellows will have the opportunity to promote solutions to strengthen drought resilience, restore land, and safeguard ecosystems to protect livelihoods worldwide. The selected fellows will gain access to UNCCD experts, return airfare coverage, and accommodation for the duration of the program. There is no application fee required at any stage. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2026. Learn more about the fellowship below.
Fellowship Objective
The goal of the COP17 Land and Drought Media fellowship program is to empower journalists and give them a platform to engage with experts and communities, exploring advanced solutions for a more resilient future.
UNCCD COP17 Media Fellowship 2026 in Mongolia: Overview
- Host Country: Mongolia
- Location: Ulaanbataar
- Duration: 10 Days
- Fellowship Dates: August 17 – 28, 2027
- Coverage: Fully Funded
- No of Awards: 6
- Fellowship for: Journalists
- Application Deadline: April 15th, 2026
Also, Check: Humboldt Research Fellowships 2026 in Germany (Fully Funded)
Benefits
The fellows will receive a wide range of perks and benefits, such as:
- Return Airfare tickets to/from Mongolia
- Accommodation during the conference dates
- Guided Field visits
- Virtual briefings with experts
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals meeting the following criteria are invited to submit applications for the COP17 Media reporting fellowship:
- Applicants must be citizens of a country that is affected by land degradation, drought, and desertification
- Calling journalists (Freelance or staff) with a track record of working in the areas of food systems, businesses, climate, agriculture, and related fields.
- Candidates must be working with a recognized media outlet
- Demonstrate interest in reporting on environmental change and economic dynamics
- Excellent command of the English language
- Must commit to full-time participation during the fellowship dates
- Attend and report from the UNCCD COP17 conference in Mongolia
Application Materials
- 3 Samples of Published Work
- An authorized letter from the editor confirming intent to cover COP17
- Details about the media outlet research
- Current CV/resume
Also, Check:
- UN International Law Fellowship Program 2026 in Netherlands
- UNNF Ocean Governance Fellowship 2026 in USA
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: April 15th, 2026
- COP Briefing: May – June 2026
- COP17 Dates: August 17 – 28, 2027
How to Apply?
Applicants who are interested in the fellowship need to submit the above-mentioned application materials to the email: press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application”. Best of Luck!
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To know more details about the fellowship, check out the offical link below.
UNCCD COP17 FELLOWSHIP OFFICIAL LINK
