Call for Applications: HIV Media Reporting Grant (Uganda)

Deadline: 06-Sep-2026

The Uganda AIDS Commission is offering a competitive Media HIV Reporting Grant to support journalists in Uganda in producing accurate, evidence-based, and impactful stories on HIV prevention, treatment, and accountability.

The initiative aims to strengthen HIV reporting in Uganda by helping journalists produce stories that inform the public, reduce stigma, highlight prevention innovations, and promote accountability in the national HIV response.

Under the theme “Supporting Evidence-Based Journalism to Strengthen HIV Prevention and Accountability,” the grant encourages originality, innovation, and professional excellence in HIV-related journalism.

Selected journalists can receive a reporting grant of up to UGX 1,000,000 to support the production of their approved story.

About the Media HIV Reporting Grant

The Media HIV Reporting Grant was launched by the Uganda AIDS Commission in response to persistent gaps in media coverage of HIV and sexual and reproductive health issues in Uganda.

Recent research and consultations with journalists have highlighted the need for stronger, more accurate, and evidence-based reporting on HIV.

The grant seeks to strengthen journalists’ capacity to cover HIV-related issues while contributing to greater public awareness and improved accountability.

Theme of the Grant

The current grant is offered under the theme:

“Supporting Evidence-Based Journalism to Strengthen HIV Prevention and Accountability.”

The theme reflects the programme’s focus on journalism that goes beyond basic reporting and helps audiences understand important HIV-related issues.

Supported stories should provide useful information, encourage informed public discussion, and contribute to the broader national HIV response.

What Does the Grant Support?

The reporting grant supports journalists in producing approved stories related to HIV and associated issues.

The programme encourages stories that:

• Inform and educate the public about HIV
• Support HIV prevention
• Cover HIV treatment and related issues
• Highlight HIV prevention innovations
• Promote accountability in the HIV response
• Address important HIV-related challenges
• Stimulate public dialogue
• Use accurate and evidence-based information

Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate originality, innovation, and professional excellence in their proposed reporting.

Funding Available

Selected journalists will receive a reporting grant of up to UGX 1,000,000.

The grant is intended to support production of the journalist’s approved story.

The maximum amount available is:

UGX 1,000,000 per selected journalist

The programme uses a competitive national call for proposals, meaning proposed stories will be assessed competitively.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is intended for journalists in Uganda interested in producing accurate and impactful reporting on HIV prevention, treatment, and accountability.

Applicants should develop story ideas that are relevant to the grant’s theme and demonstrate the potential to inform the public and contribute to HIV-related dialogue.

Why Evidence-Based HIV Journalism Matters

Accurate journalism plays an important role in public understanding of HIV.

Evidence-based reporting can help audiences understand prevention and treatment options while challenging misinformation and reducing stigma.

The Media HIV Reporting Grant aims to strengthen this role by providing journalists with technical information, expert access, and guidance to support high-quality reporting.

Additional Benefits for Selected Journalists

The grant provides more than financial support.

Selected journalists will also benefit from:

• A virtual orientation session on HIV
• Access to HIV experts
• Access to technical information
• Guidance on ethical reporting
• Guidance on evidence-based reporting
• Fact-checking support where needed
• Technical support where required

These resources are intended to help journalists produce accurate, responsible, and professionally strong HIV stories.

Virtual HIV Orientation

Selected journalists will participate in a virtual orientation session on HIV.

The orientation is designed to strengthen understanding of HIV-related issues and provide journalists with relevant background information for their reporting.

Access to HIV Experts

Selected participants will have access to HIV experts and technical information.

This can help journalists verify information, understand complex HIV issues, and develop stories based on reliable evidence.

Ethical and Evidence-Based Reporting Guidance

The programme emphasizes responsible journalism.

Selected journalists will receive guidance on ethical and evidence-based reporting to help ensure that stories are accurate while protecting the rights and dignity of people featured in them.

Fact-Checking and Technical Support

Fact-checking and technical support may be provided as needed.

This support can help journalists verify important information before publication and ensure that HIV-related claims are presented accurately.

Importance of Reducing HIV Stigma

One of the broader objectives of the grant is to contribute to reducing HIV-related stigma.

Reporting that uses accurate information and respectful language can help challenge misconceptions and promote a better understanding of HIV.

Journalists should therefore consider the potential impact of their reporting on people living with or affected by HIV.

Promoting HIV Prevention

HIV prevention is a central focus of the grant.

Journalists are encouraged to produce stories that inform communities about prevention and highlight innovations or approaches that can contribute to stronger HIV prevention efforts.

Stories should be based on reliable evidence and communicate information responsibly.

Reporting on HIV Treatment

The grant also supports reporting related to HIV treatment.

Journalists can use evidence and expert information to help the public better understand treatment-related issues and developments within the national HIV response.

Promoting Accountability

Accountability is another major focus of the programme.

The grant encourages journalism that examines HIV-related issues and stimulates constructive dialogue around the effectiveness of the national HIV response.

Strong reporting can help bring attention to important challenges and encourage informed discussions among stakeholders.

Ethical Reporting Requirements

Applicants and selected journalists must follow ethical-reporting requirements when producing their stories.

These requirements are particularly important because HIV reporting can involve sensitive personal information and vulnerable individuals.

Journalists must pay attention to:

• Informed consent
• Privacy protection
• Non-stigmatizing language
• Parental consent when interviewing minors
• Protection of HIV status
• Responsible handling of sensitive information

Informed Consent

Journalists must obtain informed consent when collecting information or conducting interviews in situations covered by the ethical requirements.

People should understand the nature and purpose of the reporting and how their information may be used.

Privacy Protection

Privacy must be protected when reporting on HIV and related personal circumstances.

Journalists should avoid unnecessarily exposing personal information that could cause harm, discrimination, or stigma.

Use of Non-Stigmatizing Language

The grant specifically requires the use of non-stigmatizing language.

Journalists should use respectful and accurate terminology when discussing HIV, people living with HIV, affected communities, and related issues.

Interviewing Minors

When interviewing minors, journalists must obtain parental consent.

This requirement is especially important when stories involve sensitive health, sexual, or reproductive health issues.

Disclosure of HIV Status

A person’s HIV status must not be disclosed without informed consent.

Journalists should take particular care when handling information that could identify a person’s HIV status or expose them to stigma or discrimination.

How to Develop a Strong Story Proposal

Because this is a competitive national call, journalists should develop a clear and compelling story proposal.

A strong proposal should explain:

• The HIV-related issue being investigated
• Why the issue matters
• The communities or audiences affected
• The evidence or data supporting the story
• The proposed reporting approach
• Potential expert sources
• The expected public-interest value
• How the story can contribute to HIV prevention or accountability
• How ethical reporting requirements will be followed
• Why the story is original or innovative

Applicants should make sure the proposed story clearly connects with the grant theme.

Originality and Innovation

The programme encourages originality and innovation in HIV reporting.

Journalists should look for meaningful ways to explore HIV-related issues rather than simply repeating existing information.

Innovative reporting approaches can help audiences better understand complex issues and stimulate wider discussion.

Professional Excellence in HIV Reporting

Professional excellence is another important element of the grant.

Applicants should demonstrate strong journalistic judgment, accuracy, responsible sourcing, and commitment to ethical reporting.

The combination of evidence, expert information, and responsible storytelling can strengthen the impact of the final story.

Key Facts About the Media HIV Reporting Grant

• Funder: Uganda AIDS Commission
• Programme: Media HIV Reporting Grant
• Country: Uganda
• Target applicants: Journalists in Uganda
• Grant type: Competitive reporting grant
• Maximum grant: UGX 1,000,000
• Purpose: Production of approved HIV-related stories
• Theme: Supporting Evidence-Based Journalism to Strengthen HIV Prevention and Accountability
• Focus areas: HIV prevention, treatment, accountability, public awareness, stigma reduction, and prevention innovations
• Additional support: Virtual HIV orientation
• Expert support: Access to HIV experts and technical information
• Reporting support: Ethical and evidence-based reporting guidance
• Technical support: Fact-checking and technical assistance as needed
• Consent requirement: Informed consent
• Privacy requirement: Protection of privacy
• Language requirement: Non-stigmatizing language
• Minors: Parental consent required when interviewing minors
• HIV status: Must not be disclosed without informed consent

Frequently Asked Questions About the Media HIV Reporting Grant

What is the Media HIV Reporting Grant?

The Media HIV Reporting Grant is a competitive funding opportunity from the Uganda AIDS Commission supporting journalists in Uganda to produce accurate and impactful stories on HIV prevention, treatment, and accountability.

How much funding can journalists receive?

Selected journalists can receive a reporting grant of up to UGX 1,000,000 for their approved story.

Who can apply for the grant?

The grant is intended for journalists in Uganda producing HIV-related stories aligned with the programme’s objectives and theme.

What is the theme of the grant?

The theme is “Supporting Evidence-Based Journalism to Strengthen HIV Prevention and Accountability.”

What types of stories does the grant support?

The grant supports impactful stories covering HIV prevention, treatment, accountability, prevention innovations, and other HIV-related issues that inform and educate the public.

Is this a competitive grant?

Yes. The programme uses a competitive national call for proposals.

What additional support do selected journalists receive?

Selected journalists receive a virtual orientation session on HIV, access to HIV experts and technical information, ethical and evidence-based reporting guidance, and fact-checking or technical support when needed.

Why was the Media HIV Reporting Grant launched?

The initiative was developed to address persistent gaps in media coverage of HIV and sexual and reproductive health in Uganda and strengthen evidence-based journalism.

Can stories focus on HIV prevention innovations?

Yes. Highlighting HIV prevention innovations is specifically included among the objectives of the programme.

Does the grant support HIV treatment reporting?

Yes. HIV treatment is one of the areas that journalists can cover through supported reporting.

Does the programme support accountability journalism?

Yes. Promoting accountability in the national HIV response is a central objective of the grant.

Do journalists need to protect people’s privacy?

Yes. Privacy protection is one of the ethical-reporting requirements.

Can journalists disclose someone’s HIV status?

No. HIV status must not be disclosed without informed consent.

Is informed consent required?

Yes. Journalists must follow informed-consent requirements when conducting reporting involving individuals.

Can minors be interviewed?

Yes, but parental consent is required when interviewing minors.

Should journalists use non-stigmatizing language?

Yes. The programme requires journalists to use non-stigmatizing language when reporting on HIV.

Why is evidence-based reporting important for HIV stories?

Evidence-based reporting can improve public understanding, challenge misinformation, reduce stigma, and contribute to informed dialogue and accountability.

Conclusion

The Media HIV Reporting Grant from the Uganda AIDS Commission provides journalists in Uganda with an opportunity to produce accurate, evidence-based, and impactful stories on HIV prevention, treatment, and accountability.

With grants of up to UGX 1,000,000, selected journalists will also receive access to HIV experts, technical information, a virtual orientation session, ethical reporting guidance, and fact-checking or technical support where required.

The programme places strong emphasis on accuracy, originality, innovation, professional excellence, and ethical reporting. Journalists should ensure that their work protects privacy, obtains informed consent, uses non-stigmatizing language, obtains parental consent when interviewing minors, and never discloses HIV status without informed consent.

For more information, visit Uganda AIDS Commission.