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Fellowship Fully funded

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program 2027

Applications open

  • Journalism
  • Media
  • Science
The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program

Programme details

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship is a one-year remote and part-time programme beginning on 9 February 2027. Fellows work with experienced science journalism mentors and develop four articles for publication at The Open Notebook. Assignments may include reported features and stories examining the craft and practice of science journalism. Fellows receive editorial feedback, professional mentoring and career-development guidance while becoming part of The Open Notebook’s community of fellows, alumni, mentors and editors. The expected workload is approximately 5 to 7 hours per week on average, although this may vary depending on reporting and editing stages.

Eligibility requirements

  • Applicants should be early-career science journalists or aspiring science journalists.
  • Applicants living outside the United States are welcome to apply.
  • There is no published nationality or citizenship restriction.

Benefits

  • $6,600 fellowship stipend.
  • One year of participation in a structured early-career science journalism fellowship.
  • Individual mentorship from an experienced science journalist.

Important dates

  1. Application deadline
  2. Reference letter deadline
  3. Fellowship start date

Required documents

  1. Resume or CV

    Applicants should submit an up-to-date resume or CV outlining their relevant education, journalism experience, training and professional background.

  2. Letter of reference

    A reference should be provided by someone such as a professor, editor, mentor, supervisor or professional colleague who can comment on the applicant's skills, experience and potential in science journalism.

  3. Writing or multimedia samples

    Applicants may submit up to two samples of work intended for a general audience. Academic or scientific papers are not considered appropriate writing samples. Samples should be available in English, and translated work may be used.

  4. Story proposals

    Applicants are asked to submit two brief proposals for stories that could be suitable for publication by The Open Notebook. Each proposal should be approximately 100 words.

Essay questions

  • Question 1

    Why are you interested in this fellowship and what do you hope to learn?

  • Question 2

    Describe your prior training and/or experience writing stories about science for the general public.

  • Question 3

    What particular skills, interests or perspectives would you bring to the fellowship?

  • Question 4

    What are your overall plans during the fellowship period, such as studying, freelancing, seeking employment or other commitments?

  • Question 5

    Provide two short proposals for features or multimedia stories suitable for publication at The Open Notebook.

    Max 100 words

Question
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Deadline 31 October 2026
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