Applications are now open for the Poynter Institute Brain Health Reporting Fellowship 2027, a prestigious fully funded fellowship designed to help journalists strengthen their reporting on brain health, neuroscience, mental health, and scientific research.
Supported by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, this year-long fellowship brings together 30 journalists from across the United States for advanced training, expert mentorship, personalized coaching, and hands-on reporting opportunities. Fellows will gain direct access to leading researchers, medical experts, and award-winning journalists while developing high-impact reporting projects on one of today’s most rapidly evolving fields.
About the Poynter Brain Health Reporting Fellowship
The Reporting on Brain Health and Research Fellowship is a year-long professional development programme that equips journalists with the knowledge and skills needed to accurately cover neuroscience, psychiatry, mental health, aging, neurological diseases, and scientific discoveries.
As advances in brain research increasingly shape healthcare, public policy, and society, journalists play a critical role in translating complex scientific findings into accessible and trustworthy stories. This fellowship provides the training, mentorship, and resources needed to improve science reporting while combating misinformation.
The programme begins with a three-day in-person convening at the Poynter Institute in St. Petersburg, Florida, followed by monthly virtual workshops and one-on-one coaching throughout 2027.
Fellowship Benefits
Successful fellows will receive:
- Full funding for the entire fellowship programme.
- Travel and accommodation for all in-person convenings.
- Meals during programme events.
- Advanced journalism training from Poynter faculty.
- Direct access to leading neuroscientists and medical experts.
- Individual coaching throughout the fellowship.
- Monthly virtual masterclasses.
- Mentorship from experienced journalists.
- Opportunities to develop original reporting projects.
- Professional networking with journalists across the country.
- A US$3,000 stipend upon successful completion of the fellowship.
Fellowship Duration
The fellowship runs for approximately one year.
Programme timeline includes:
- December 2026: Opening three-day convening in Florida.
- Monthly virtual workshops throughout 2027.
- Individual coaching sessions.
- Reporting project development.
- December 2027: Final in-person showcase and graduation.
Areas of Training
Participants will receive intensive training in topics including:
- Brain health reporting
- Neuroscience journalism
- Mental health reporting
- Psychiatry reporting
- Neurodegenerative diseases
- Autism reporting
- Scientific research interpretation
- Medical journalism
- Public health communication
- Evidence-based reporting
- Data interpretation
- Fact-checking scientific claims
- Research ethics
- Science communication
What Fellows Will Learn
Throughout the programme, fellows will learn how to:
- Interpret complex scientific studies.
- Report responsibly on emerging medical research.
- Build trusted relationships with scientific experts.
- Translate technical information into accessible journalism.
- Avoid misinformation and exaggeration.
- Cover neuroscience with greater accuracy and context.
- Produce impactful public-interest reporting.
- Strengthen investigative reporting skills.
- Develop compelling long-form reporting projects.
Reporting Project
Each fellow will develop an original journalism project focused on brain health or scientific research.
Projects may explore topics such as:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Brain injuries
- Mental health care
- Neuroscience innovations
- Public health policy
- Aging and cognition
- Medical research breakthroughs
Participants will receive expert editorial guidance throughout project development.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes applications from journalists across experience levels and media platforms.
Eligible applicants include:
- Health reporters
- Science journalists
- Medical correspondents
- Public affairs reporters
- Local journalists
- Multimedia journalists
- Broadcast reporters
- Print journalists
- Digital media professionals
- Freelance journalists interested in brain health reporting
Applicants seeking to expand into science or health journalism are also encouraged to apply.
Why Apply?
The demand for accurate science and health journalism has never been greater. Advances in neuroscience, psychiatry, and brain research continue to influence healthcare decisions, policymaking, and public understanding.
The Poynter Brain Health Reporting Fellowship provides journalists with specialized knowledge, direct access to world-class experts, and long-term mentorship that can significantly strengthen their reporting and career development.
Fellowship Outcomes
By completing the programme, fellows will:
- Improve science reporting skills.
- Gain confidence covering complex medical topics.
- Expand professional journalism networks.
- Produce high-quality reporting projects.
- Receive personalized editorial mentorship.
- Strengthen public trust through evidence-based journalism.
- Join a respected network of Poynter alumni.
Application Deadline
Applications close on September 22, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should:
- Review the fellowship eligibility requirements.
- Prepare the required application materials.
- Complete the official online application.
- Submit all supporting documents before the application deadline.
- Await notification from the Poynter Institute selection committee.
Why You Should Apply
The Poynter Brain Health Reporting Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for journalists to deepen their expertise in one of the most important reporting areas today. Through fully funded training, expert mentorship, hands-on coaching, and a generous completion stipend, participants gain the skills and confidence needed to produce accurate, impactful reporting that helps communities better understand brain health and scientific research.
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