British High Commission in partnership with Imperial College London through Imperial Global Ghana
Applications are open for the UK West Africa Media Excellence in Emerging Technologies Fellowship 2026, also known as the UK MEET Fellowship. The professional development programme is designed for journalists and digital content creators in Ghana and Nigeria who are interested in science, innovation and technology reporting.
The Fellowship is delivered by the British High Commission in partnership with Imperial College London through Imperial Global Ghana. It aims to strengthen participants’ ability to understand complex scientific and technological subjects and communicate them accurately, creatively and responsibly to wider audiences.
Selected participants will take part in online preparation followed by an intensive six night residential training programme in their country of residence. The programme combines science and technology reporting, digital storytelling, ethical reporting and direct engagement with researchers, policymakers, innovators and industry professionals.
The UK Media Excellence in Emerging Technologies Fellowship focuses on strengthening media professionals’ capacity to report on science, innovation and technology, referred to by the programme as SIT.
The Fellowship responds to the growing importance of emerging technologies and scientific developments in public life. Participants will learn how to approach complicated subjects, identify credible sources, assess evidence, explain uncertainty and communicate technical information in ways that remain accessible to general audiences.
The programme combines scientific understanding with practical media skills. Rather than concentrating on a single technology, it develops transferable skills that journalists and digital creators can apply across different reporting areas.
The programme is delivered through collaboration between the British High Commission and Imperial College London through Imperial Global Ghana. Participants will have opportunities to interact directly with researchers and other professionals working across science, innovation and technology.
The Fellowship covers several major science, innovation and technology themes, including:
• Artificial intelligence
• Climate and environmental risk
• Biomedical innovation
• Circular economy and electronic waste
• Other emerging science, innovation and technology issues
Participants will also develop five core competencies:
• Understanding complex scientific and technological concepts
• Effective science communication
• Understanding emerging technologies and their public implications
• Applying ethical considerations to science and technology reporting
• Engaging effectively with researchers, policymakers, innovators and industry professionals
The Fellowship includes practical training in digital communication and storytelling.
Participants will develop skills in areas such as:
• Platform strategy
• Short form video
• Data storytelling
• Visual design
• Public communication of technical information
These skills are designed to help participants adapt science and technology stories for different audiences and digital platforms.
The programme also emphasizes responsible reporting. Participants will consider issues including accuracy, source selection, privacy, conflicts of interest, uncertainty, representation and responsible use of digital tools.
A major component of the Fellowship is an intensive six night residential training programme.
Participants attend the residential programme in their country of residence. Ghana based participants take part in the Ghana programme, while Nigeria based participants participate in the Nigeria programme.
The programme begins with online preparation before the residential training.
Two short online sessions and pre reading are scheduled for the week of 5 October 2026.
The Ghana residential programme is scheduled for the week of 12 October 2026.
The Nigeria residential programme is scheduled for the week of 19 October 2026.
Selected pitch award winners will have the opportunity to participate in a fully funded week long knowledge exchange visit to London during the week of 30 November 2026.
Participants can benefit from:
• Six night residential training in Ghana or Nigeria
• Online preparation and pre training sessions
• Practical science, innovation and technology reporting training
• Digital storytelling training
• Training in platform strategy, short form video, data storytelling and visual design
• Engagement with researchers, policymakers, innovators and industry professionals
• Opportunities to develop an original story concept
• Opportunity to pitch an original story for production and publication support
• Networking with journalists and digital content creators
• Fully funded week long London knowledge exchange for selected pitch award winners
• Engagement with Imperial College London during the UK knowledge exchange
Applicants must meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
• Be at least 18 years old
• Currently be based in Ghana or Nigeria
• Apply through the country track where they are currently based
• Be a journalist working in print, broadcast or online media, or an eligible social media content creator
• Digital creators must have an active and publicly viewable presence on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, X or Facebook
• Digital creators must produce content relevant to science, innovation or technology
• Have produced at least five original pieces of science, innovation or technology related content within the previous 12 months
• Provide links to the relevant published work
• Be available for the online preparation and the full residential programme
• Be able to communicate and work professionally in English
• Hold a valid international passport or be capable of obtaining one in time for the programme
Partial attendance is not permitted, so applicants should ensure they can participate fully in the required programme activities.
Applicants should be prepared to provide:
• Personal and contact information
• Country of application
• Gender information
• Relevant professional background
• Evidence of eligibility
• Links to at least five original science, innovation or technology related content pieces produced during the previous 12 months
• Information demonstrating experience in relevant reporting or digital content creation
• Information about potential impact from participating in the Fellowship
• Information relevant to collaboration and science communication interests
Applicants should carefully review the application form and provide accurate links to their previous work.
The Fellowship includes a practical opportunity for participants to develop an original story concept during the residential programme.
On the final day, participants will pitch their ideas for an opportunity to receive funding to produce and publish an original story.
The public programme information does not specify the monetary value of the story production award. Applicants should therefore rely on information provided directly by the organisers regarding any financial award attached to successful pitches.
Selected pitch award winners may also progress to the fully funded UK knowledge exchange in London.
Applicants should submit early enough to avoid technical difficulties close to the deadline.
British High Commission in partnership with Imperial College London through Imperial Global Ghana
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