The National Press Foundation will run a five-day online fellowship on rare disease reporting from Nov. 16–20, 2026. The training combines on-the-record expert briefings and Q&A on research, biotechnology, diagnosis, clinical trials and patient advocacy.
Professional journalists based anywhere may apply if they can attend every session in English. All accepted fellows receive free training; 20 fellows who require and qualify for funding can receive reporting grants for projects published through their chosen outlets.
Benefits & funding
- Free online training from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET each day, Nov. 16–20, 2026.
- Up to $2,000 in reporting support for 20 fellows who require and qualify for a grant: $1,000 after completing the training and $1,000 after submitting the published work.
- Grant-funded work is published first by the journalist’s chosen outlet and may then be reprinted in a Fondation Ipsen compilation.
Eligibility
- Open to professional journalists based in any country.
- Applicants may work in print, broadcast, online or social media, and in any language, but must be fluent in English.
- Attendance at every session from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET on Nov. 16–20 is mandatory.
- Employed applicants need an editor’s letter confirming four hours away from work each program day; freelancers need an editor’s letter expressing interest in publishing their work on the topic.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
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Application process
- 1Review the program schedule, attendance requirement and grant conditions on the official page.
- 2Complete the linked Airtable application by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 22, 2026.
- 3Provide the editor letter required for employed or freelance applicants, as applicable.
Program timeline
Application deadline
Oct 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET
Online fellowship starts
Nov 16, 2026
Online fellowship ends
Nov 20, 2026
Publication deadline for grant-funded work
Mar 1, 2027