Call for Applications

Background

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF-Nigeria) currently provides free HIV testing, treatment, care, and TB services across 7 states of operation in Nigeria.

Despite significant gains recorded in HIV/AIDS treatment and the stride toward the 95-95-95 targets, global challenges still remain in TB reduction, stigma, misinformation, including funding gaps, which remains major barriers to an AIDS free generation.

This Reporting Project will support journalists to produce accurate, incisive, well researched human-centered, stigma-free stories that can impact HIV testing, treatment uptake, STI’s prevention including consistent and correct use of condoms and public accountability for HIV/TB service delivery in AHF.

Project Goals and Objectives

Objectives for Selected Journalists:

• Receive immersive mentoring on HIV/TB science, U=U, TB-HIV co-infection, domestic financing, local ARVs manufacturing, including challenges in the implementation of Nigeria’s Anti-Discrimination Act 2014.
• Develop and publish 2 in-depth reports per journalist: 2 feature/investigative stories with a human angle bent.
• Stigma reduction: Reports should reflect person-first, rights-based language and prioritize voices of PLHIV and TB survivors in an ethical manner.
• Accountability: Reports should highlight issues such as access to treatment, budget performance, and community-led monitoring in AHF-supported facilities.

Who Can Apply

AHF invites journalists from print, online, broadcast, photographic storytelling and community media.

Eligibility Criteria

Location: Applicants must reside in and report from one of these locations: Abuja FCT, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Kogi, or Nasarawa.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years professional journalism experience with verifiable published/broadcast work.

Affiliation: Applicants must be attached to a media organization or have a letter of intent to publish from an editor/publisher. Freelancers are eligible with a publishing commitment in a notable media organization.

Commitment: Applicants must be available for a virtual orientation and field visits, and must publish all 2 stories within the 2-month period, September – October 2026.

Interest: Demonstrated interest in health, human rights, or development reporting is an advantage.

What Selected Journalists Will Receive

Deliverables & Expectations

Each selected journalist must:

• Attend the full-day virtual orientation training. Data support will be provided by AHF Nigeria.
• Submit 3 story pitches and complete 2 selected stories within the project timeline of October 2026.
• Ensure the 2 selected stories are published/broadcast in media outlets with verifiable reach.
• Submit published links, PDFs, or audio files to AHF.
• Adhere strictly to AHF/UNAIDS ethical guidelines: informed consent, no patient identification without consent, and no stigmatizing language or images.

How to Apply

Your Application Must Include

• CV – Maximum 2 pages.
• Cover Letter/Motivation Statement – 250 words maximum. State why you should be selected and the HIV/TB issue you are most passionate about covering.
• Story Pitch – 200 words for each story idea you would pursue under this project. Include proposed sources and angle.
• Work Samples – Links or PDFs of 2 published/broadcast stories. At least 1 should be on health or development.
• Editor’s Letter of Support – From your media house confirming support and commitment to publish your work.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Selection & Timeline

Selection Criteria

Relevance and quality of work samples 15%, strength of story pitch 35%, journalism experience 15%, gender diversity 15%, and editor support 10%.

Contact Information