The Open Notebook’s 2027 Early-Career Fellowship offers a remote, part-time year of science-journalism development starting on 9 February 2027. The stipend is US$6,600 for the entire fellowship, not a monthly payment.
Experience and eligibility
Fellows produce four articles with editorial mentoring and participate in a professional community. The estimated average commitment is five to seven hours weekly, with variation. Applicants worldwide are welcome, but need some public-facing writing training or experience and generally fewer than three years of regular professional science writing. Student work and internships are excluded from that experience limit; specified exceptions apply to non-English experience.
Application and deadlines
Prepare the required responses, two brief story proposals, a CV, one reference and up to two public-facing work samples. Materials must be in English; translations are accepted. Applications close 31 October 2026 at 11:59 p.m. US Central time. Reference letters are due 7 November. Review the official form for complete instructions.
Decide whether the fellowship matches your goals
Opportunities Feed preparation guidance: Think carefully about what you want to learn as a journalist. Interest in science is valuable, but journalism also involves asking independent questions, evaluating evidence and writing for people who may not share your specialist background. Your application should explain the skills you want to develop rather than relying on enthusiasm alone.
Read several pieces from the publication and consider how they serve their readers. Notice the difference between a broad topic and a focused story. A topic such as interviewing is very large; a specific question about a difficult interviewing situation can provide a clearer direction for a proposal.
Develop story ideas with a clear purpose
For each proposed idea, identify the question you want to answer and why it would be useful to the intended audience. Consider what reporting would be needed and whether the idea is manageable. Avoid promising access to a source who has not agreed to participate or claiming that an outcome is already known.
A short proposal benefits from precision. Remove background that does not help explain the central idea, and make sure the reader can tell what would distinguish the story from a general overview. Use your own curiosity and observation; do not copy another writer’s pitch or present a published story as an original idea.
Choose samples that show your contribution
Select work that demonstrates clear communication and thoughtful reporting. Explain your role where a piece involved several contributors. An editor needs to understand what the sample shows about your abilities, not just recognise the publication in which it appeared.
Check that links work and that submitted files are readable. If you provide a translation, make clear that it is a translation and preserve the meaning accurately. Do not replace an original piece with substantially new writing while implying it is the version that was published.
Explain what you want from mentorship
A useful application can identify a specific challenge you have encountered: structuring a reported feature, deciding which evidence to include, asking better follow-up questions or revising a draft after feedback. Explain the challenge honestly and why working with an experienced editor could help you improve.
You do not need to portray yourself as already accomplished in every part of the craft. A development opportunity is most meaningful when you can describe both what you bring and what you still need to learn. Avoid turning every weakness into a disguised boast.
Plan the time commitment realistically
Look at your other commitments across the fellowship period, not just the week in which you apply. Reporting can involve arranging interviews, following up with sources, checking facts and revising material after feedback. A part-time label does not mean the work will always fit into whatever time remains.
Consider time-zone differences and the conditions you need to work reliably. If you expect a major change in study or employment, think through how it could affect your availability. Be honest about your plans rather than promising a schedule you may not be able to maintain.
Arrange a thoughtful reference
Ask someone who can speak meaningfully about your work and approach to learning. Give them the official instructions, explain the opportunity and allow enough time for an independent letter. Do not write a recommendation in another person’s name or pressure a referee to make claims they cannot support.
Keep the application and reference deadlines separate in your checklist. An extension for a supporting letter does not extend the main application deadline. Retain confirmation of your own submission and follow up politely where appropriate.
How to apply and final checks
The button below opens the official fellowship page and its application link. Read the current instructions, complete every required section and check the final documents before submitting. Make sure your proposals, experience dates and work samples are consistent.
Conclusion
This fellowship is a focused opportunity to develop science-journalism practice through reporting, editing and reflection. Applicants should assess the time commitment and total stipend carefully, then submit an honest application that shows a clear interest in the craft and a realistic plan for learning.
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Keywords: Open Notebook fellowship 2027, remote science journalism fellowship, paid writing fellowship, early career journalism, science reporting mentorship
