UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 for International Students
Applications are now open for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 in Mongolia. International applicants from around the world are encouraged to apply for this fully funded fellowship. All expenses will be covered by the program. No IELTS is required, and there is no application fee.
UNCCD is a global initiative aimed at promoting sustainable land management to ensure access to food, water, and economic opportunities for all. The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP17) is expected to bring together representatives from its 197 member parties, along with leaders from governments, businesses, civil society, scientific communities, Indigenous groups, and local communities. The UNCCD COP17 Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship offers journalists a unique opportunity to report directly from the conference and field locations, engage with leading experts, and explore solutions shaping a more resilient future.
The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from August 17 to August 28, 2026. In collaboration with COP17, the fellowship will select six journalists to cover critical yet often overlooked global issues, including land degradation, drought, and their impact on food and water security, as well as economic stability.
UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 Details
| Offered by: | UNCCD |
| Duration: | 2 Weeks |
| Scholarship coverage: | Fully Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award country: | Mongolia |
| Last date: | 15 April 2026 |
Financial Benefits
UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 in Mongolia for international students covers the following:
- A return economy-class trip to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia,
- lodging during COP17 (21–28 August 2026), and COP17 media accreditation
- Access to UNCCD specialists, including pre-COP virtual briefings to increase understanding of the important problems relating to COP17
- An opportunity to interact with local residents during a field trip in Mongolia
Eligibility Criteria
- Professional journalists (staff or independent) with a proven track record of covering the environment, climate change, agriculture, development, food systems, business, or similar topics are eligible for the fellowship.
- Candidates ought to:
- Collaborate with a reputable media organization
- be situated in countries impacted by drought, desertification, and land degradation.
- Show an interest in covering the relationship between social and economic dynamics and environmental change.
- The six official languages of the United Nations—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—will be represented among the chosen fellows.
- The chosen fellows will:
- Attend pre-COP virtual briefings with experts.
- Attend UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar and provide a report.
- Create independent journalistic coverage related to the fellowship’s themes.
- Every fellow maintains complete journalistic integrity and editorial freedom.
- At least three stories will be published by fellows, such as the following:
- One tale before COP17
- One tale from COP17
- One tale following COP17 that links their local circumstances to the global discourse on land and drought.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 in Mongolia for international students is 15th April 2026.
How to Apply for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship?
Applicants must submit their application materials to press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application.
