October 22, 2026

As biotechnology continues its march toward revolutionary treatments and cures for complex medical conditions, the daily realities for people living with rare diseases and their families can dampen hope. Worldwide, the relentless cycle of caregiving, stress and hypervigilance only deepens the challenges for the 300 million people living with one of more than 7,000 confirmed rare diseases.

While advocacy and research merge to yield solutions, the need for increased visibility about rare diseases is becoming more urgent. In many countries, healthcare infrastructure and policies must be strengthened to address persistent gaps in access and knowledge.

To help international journalists amplify these issues, the National Press Foundation is providing a week of free online training for professional journalists in any medium. This fifth in a series of journalism fellowships, made possible with support from Fondation Ipsen, will consist of on-the-record briefings and question-and-answer sessions with top experts, including topics such as rare disease research on the African continent, AI-driven drug development, childhood genetic testing and screening, and the need for more inclusive clinical trials. Journalists will also hear from leaders of global patient advocacy groups and veteran journalists in the field.

In addition, NPF will offer up to $2,000 in reporting grants to 20 journalists to cover travel expenses and time in executing a rare disease project of their choosing.

Application Deadline: Oct. 22, 2026

Learn more and apply