Rare Disease Reporting Fellowship and Grants 2026: Journalism Training + $2,000 Reporting Grants

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The Rare Disease Reporting Fellowship and Grants 2026 is a journalism training program organized by the National Press Foundation with support from Fondation Ipsen. This fifth iteration of the fellowship series addresses the urgent need for increased visibility of rare diseases affecting 300 million people globally. The program combines expert-led training with financial support for reporting projects.

What the Fellowship Covers

All accepted fellows receive:

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• One week of free online training (November 16-20, 2026)
• On-the-record briefings with top medical experts
• Q&A sessions covering rare disease research, AI-driven drug development, childhood genetic testing, and inclusive clinical trials
• Access to global patient advocacy leaders and experienced journalists in the field

Qualifying fellows also receive financial support:

• $1,000 upon completion of training
• Additional $1,000 upon submission of published work
• Work must be published no later than March 1, 2027

Training Schedule and Format

Sessions run from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern Time, November 16-20, 2026. Attendance at all sessions is mandatory. The training is conducted entirely online, making it accessible to journalists worldwide without travel requirements.

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Eligibility Requirements

This fellowship is open to:

• Professional journalists based in any country, including Zimbabwe and SADC nations
• Journalists working in any medium: print, broadcast, online, or social media
• Journalists writing in any language
• Candidates must have fluency in English, as all training is conducted in English

Freelance and employed journalists have different documentation requirements (see Documents section).

Required Documents

Employed journalists must submit:

• Letter of support from their editor
• Commitment from employer allowing four hours off work daily from November 16-20, 2026

Freelance journalists must submit:

• Letter from an editor indicating interest in publishing work on rare diseases

Application Process

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Prepare your supporting letter from an editor (employment status determines which type)
2. Complete the online application form before the deadline
3. Submit by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on October 22, 2026

Applications are submitted through the National Press Foundation website. No application fee is mentioned.

Why Rare Disease Reporting Matters

With over 7,000 confirmed rare diseases affecting 300 million people worldwide, the daily realities of caregiving, stress, and hypervigilance create significant challenges for patients and families. While biotechnology advances toward treatments, healthcare infrastructure and policy gaps persist—particularly in regions with limited resources. This fellowship equips journalists to amplify these critical stories and advocate for stronger healthcare systems.

Topics Covered in Training

Fellows will explore:

• Rare disease research on the African continent
• Artificial intelligence in drug development
• Childhood genetic testing and screening
• Strategies for more inclusive clinical trials
• Patient advocacy and family perspectives

Important Dates

Considerations for African Applicants

Journalists from Zimbabwe and SADC countries should note the time zone difference: 8 a.m. Eastern Time equals 3 p.m. Central Africa Time (CAT). Ensure reliable internet connectivity for five consecutive afternoons. The focus on rare disease research in Africa provides direct relevance for regional reporting. Consider how local healthcare challenges intersect with global rare disease issues when developing your story pitch.

Official scholarship page: https://nationalpress.org/

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships