Apply now for the 2026-27 Rosalynn Carter Fellowship in the UAE.
The programme, run by the Carter Centre in the United States and administered locally by The National, aims to lift the quality and accuracy of mental‑health reporting across the region. It offers a grant, training and mentorship for a full twelve‑month period. Applications close on Tuesday, 30 June, and the fellowship year begins at the start of September.
How the fellowship works
Each fellow will spend the year under the guidance of advisers in the US and experts based in the UAE. The non‑residential format means participants stay in their home country while receiving remote support. Two‑day annual meetings are held at the Carter Centre in Atlanta, where newcomers discuss their reporting plans with a global network of journalists and mental‑health specialists. A second meeting in 2027 brings the cohort back together to share outcomes.
The fellowship is open to reporters, editors or content producers who have at least two years of experience. Candidates must be a citizen or resident of the UAE, or show a strong connection through regular freelance work. To apply, applicants submit a CV, a cover letter of no more than 400 words outlining their proposed mental‑health project, and links to two published pieces. A referee – typically a senior editor or newsroom leader – must also be listed.
Who’s already making an impact
Current fellows Nour Ibrahim and Ghenwa Yehia are in the final months of their fellowship year. Both have explored the crossroads of mental health and artificial intelligence. Ghenwa recently produced a four‑part series for Khaleej Times on “grief tech,” while Nour has published two stories in The National examining why young people turn to AI for mental‑health support.
Previous cohorts have covered a wide range of topics. Fellows have reported on communities facing the threat of conflict and climate change, examined attitudes toward mental health in the Arabic music scene, and produced solutions‑based pieces on building more resilient societies. Other work has highlighted the challenges expatriate workers face when separated from their support networks, documented the pressures on young people during the Covid‑19 pandemic, and called for better services for people with disabilities and forcibly displaced populations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship?
The Rosalynn Carter Fellowship is a 12‑month mental‑health journalism programme run by the Carter Centre and administered locally by The National, offering a grant, training and mentorship to UAE reporters, editors and content producers.
Who can apply for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship in the UAE?
The fellowship is open to reporters, editors or content producers with at least two years of experience who are citizens or residents of the UAE, or who have a strong connection through regular freelance work in the country.
How do I apply for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship?
Applicants must submit a CV, a cover letter of up to 400 words outlining their proposed mental‑health project, links to two published pieces, and a referee (typically a senior editor or newsroom leader).
What is the application deadline for the 2026‑27 fellowship?
Applications close on Tuesday, 30 June, and the fellowship year begins at the start of September.
