Science Journalism Fellowships and Internships

This is a non-exhaustive list of science journalism / science communications internships and fellowships one might reasonably apply to with minimal formal experience (e.g., as a student) or with one fellowship (e.g., the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship) and some freelancing under one’s belt.

Science journalism fellowships

  • AAAS Mass Media Fellowship
    • Summer internship (June – August) for STEM undergrad students, grad students, postdocs, residents, deadline Jan 1
    • Based at sites around the country
  • Nature News
    • Two 6-month internships: Jan – June (deadline in October), July – Dec
    • Based in DC or NYC
  • Science News 
    • Three internships: Spring (January to April, deadline in October), summer (June to September, deadline in January) and fall (October to December, deadline in June). 
    • Based in DC
  • Science Magazine (the American Association for the Advancement of Science) 
  • The Economist
    • Richard Casement internship: 3 months
    • Based in London
    • No previous experience required
    • 2025 call for applications (deadline end of February)
  • High Country News [SUSPENDED FOR 2026 SEASON, check back in Oct 2026 for 2027 fellowship information]
  • STAT News [ON HIATUS for 2025-2026]
  • Vox
  • NPR
    • Two internship terms: Summer internship (12 weeks), Fall/Winter fellowship (28 weeks)
    • Onsite, remote, or hybrid
  • Grist
  • Mother Jones
    • Ben Bagdikian Fellowship Program (investigative journalism): Application opens in the spring, runs for one year starting in August
    • “We’re particularly interested in candidates who can work from our Washington, DC, or San Francisco bureaus. We also have a bureau in New York City and will consider applicants based there as well as strong remote candidates who help us build the most well-rounded and capable cohort. Fellows are required to be able to work in the US and CIR is not able to furnish work visas.”
  • New York Times
    • New York Times Fellowship: One-year fellowships starting in June, deadline in November
    • Based in New York City, with opportunities in DC and San Francisco
  • Scientific American
  • The Scientist
    • Offers internships periodically
  • Quanta Magazine
    • Per the Simons Foundation website, “Quanta offers two 6-month writing fellowships a year that start in January and July. Applications are expected to open in the spring for a July start and in the fall for a January start.”
  • The Transmitter
    • Per the Simons Foundation website, “The Transmitter offers reporting internships and fellowships throughout the year. Opportunities will be posted on a rolling basis.”
  • Reuters 
    • Reuters News Internship
      • 12 weeks starting in June, applications open in November
      • Based globally
    • Reuters Journalist Fellowship
      • 9 months, applications on a rolling basis
      • Based in New York City, DC, or another US bureau

Institutional science writing fellowships

  • Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 
    • Two-year science communication fellowship, starting July 2026
    • Hybrid position based at Moss Landing, California
    • Video editing / social media content creation experience required
    • First year salary: $77,000 annually; second year: $82,000 annually
    • Apply by February 10
  • EarthScope
    • For undergraduate, graduate, and recently graduated (within one year) students with U.S. work authorization
    • At least 11 weeks; summer programs from mid-May to early August
    • $1,000/week stipend
    • Applications open in late November / early December, due in mid-February
    • Remote options offered for some positions
  • Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
    • Two internships: summer and either winter/spring or summer/fall
    • Based in Edgewater, Maryland, with dormitory housing provided
  • European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere 
    • Science communication internship open to international applicants
    • Requires proficiency in written and spoken English
    • Internships last 3–6 months, applications accepted on a rolling basis but reviewed every 4–6 months
    • Accommodation and airfare provided, as well as monthly allowance for living expenses
  • International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis 
    • Two science communication internships, March–May and June–August
    • External relations internship, April–June
    • Science diplomacy internship September–November
  • Science Media Centre
    • Science–Media relations internship for “final-year undergrads, postgrad students, people who have recently completed an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification, or those looking for an early-stage career change”
    • 5 weeks
    • London living wage (currently £13.85/hour)
  • Internships at the Smithsonian museums
  • Internships at the Broad Institute Office of Communications
    • For 2026, offering a social media video production fellowship

Non-full-time opportunities

  • Sequencer Magazine
    • Mentorship program, applications accepted on a rolling basis
    • Researchers at any level wanting to learn to communicate with the public can receive: One-on-one training to write a short blog, personal essay, or longer reported story; resources about writing for the public; and optional Zoom “Office Hours.” Participants’ stories will be featured on Sequencer’s website and newsletter. And writers who complete the program and publish with Sequencer will receive an honorarium.
  • The Open Notebook 
    • 12-month fellowship, starting in February, with applications due in October. $6,600 stipend, estimated 5-7 hours per week
    • “During this remote, part-time fellowship, each fellow will pitch, report, and write articles for publication at The Open Notebook—a mix of “story behind the story” interviews and reported features. They will have weekly phone or video meetings with a mentor who is an experienced science journalist and who will help them shape story ideas, provide reporting and writing guidance, edit fellows’ article drafts, and offer general craft and career-development advice and guidance.”
  • Voices for Science program, American Geophysical Union
    • For scientists interested in science communication and policy outreach, all career stages
    • 12-month program, in-person training in Washington, DC in June, travel and lodging provided
    • Registration for AGU’s annual meeting covered
    • Access to small grants for outreach work
    • Around 20 fellows per year
    • Submissions between Dec 15 – Feb 15
  • HBCU Science Journalism Fellowship
    • For students at participating Historically Black Colleges and Universities who have an interest in science, health, and environmental reporting
    • One-week in-person summer camp at MIT (expenses covered), one year of mentorship
    • Opportunities to pitch to national and regional outlets
    • Funding to attend National Association of Science Writers conference
    • $5,000 stipend

Job newsletters and job boards

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