SNF Global Center Communicator Fellowship Program

Deadline: 15-Jun-2026

The SNF Global Center Communicators Fellowship Program is a funding and professional development initiative that supports communication professionals from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It focuses on improving public awareness and understanding of child and adolescent mental health through impactful communication projects.

The fellowship combines financial support, training, mentorship, and global networking to strengthen advocacy and storytelling in mental health communication.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The program aims to:

• Increase awareness of child and adolescent mental health issues
• Reduce stigma around mental health conditions
• Strengthen public communication and advocacy efforts
• Support evidence-based storytelling and reporting
• Build capacity of communication professionals in LMICs
• Promote global collaboration in mental health communication

Key Focus Areas

The fellowship supports work in:

• Child and adolescent mental health awareness
• Youth mental health communication campaigns
• Public health communication and advocacy
• Stigma reduction initiatives
• Community engagement and outreach
• Evidence-based storytelling
• Digital and traditional media communication
• Professional development and training in media and advocacy

Program Structure

• Fellowship duration: up to 2 years
• Number of projects funded: up to 3 grants per cohort
• Fellows remain based in their home countries
• Projects focus on local mental health challenges with global relevance
• Includes mentorship, training, and international networking

Funding Details

• Maximum funding: up to US$100,000 per project
• Eligible costs include:
  • Personnel and compensation
  • Production and content creation expenses
  • Equipment and materials
  • Travel costs
  • Outreach and dissemination activities
  • Institutional overhead (up to 10%)

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

Professional background

• Work in public communication fields such as:
  • Journalism
  • Broadcasting
  • Podcasting
  • Digital media production
• Be early- to mid-career professionals
• Have fewer than 15 years of professional experience
• Preferably hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Candidates without a degree may apply with at least 4 years of relevant experience

Institutional affiliation

Applicants must be affiliated with an eligible institution in:

• Low- or middle-income countries (World Bank classification), or
• SNF Global Center hub countries:
  • Brazil
  • Greece
  • South Africa

Eligible institutions include:

• Media organizations
• Universities
• Non-profit research institutes
• Government organizations
• Non-governmental organizations

Exclusions:

• Pharmaceutical companies are not eligible institutions

What the Fellowship Supports

The program supports:

• Development of communication campaigns on mental health
• Public awareness and advocacy projects
• Multimedia storytelling initiatives
• Community-based engagement strategies
• Training and capacity-building for communicators
• Cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange

Key Features

• Strong focus on child and adolescent mental health communication
• Long-term (2-year) project funding
• Integration of mentorship and training
• Emphasis on local storytelling with global collaboration
• Combination of funding and professional development

Common Misunderstandings

• It is not open to all professionals; it is limited to communication fields
• It is not a short-term grant; it spans up to 2 years
• Applicants must be institution-affiliated
• It is not restricted to academics; journalists and media professionals are eligible
• Pharmaceutical organizations are excluded

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the SNF Communicators Fellowship?
  • A fellowship supporting communication professionals working on child and adolescent mental health awareness
  • Combines funding, mentorship, and training
• How much funding is provided?
  • Up to US$100,000 per project
  • Funding supports communication campaigns and related costs
• How long is the fellowship?
  • Up to 2 years per project
• Who can apply?
  • Journalists, broadcasters, podcasters, and digital media professionals
  • Early- to mid-career professionals with under 15 years of experience
• What institutions are eligible?
  • Media organizations, universities, NGOs, government bodies
  • Institutions must be in LMICs or hub countries (Brazil, Greece, South Africa)
  • Pharmaceutical organizations are not eligible
• What can funding be used for?
  • Content production
  • Personnel costs
  • Equipment and materials
  • Travel and outreach
  • Institutional overhead (up to 10%)
• Can individuals apply without an institution?
  • No
  • Applicants must be institutionally affiliated

Conclusion

The SNF Global Center Communicators Fellowship Program is a global initiative that strengthens mental health communication in low- and middle-income countries. By supporting journalists and media professionals, it enhances public understanding of child and adolescent mental health while building long-term capacity in advocacy, storytelling, and communication innovation.

For more information, visit Child Mind Institute.