The MIT Knight Science Journalism Fellowship offers a fully funded nine-month program for journalists interested in advancing their skills in science, health, technology, and environmental journalism. This prestigious fellowship allows international reporters to conduct research projects, gain expertise in specific scientific fields, and enhance their storytelling capabilities in science journalism.

  • 📝 Application Timeline: Applications for the 2026-2027 KSJ Fellowship open on November 15, 2025, and close on January 9, 2026. A live webinar for Q&A will be held on December 18, 2025.
  • 🌍 Program Overview: The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT offers 10 fellowships annually for 9 months, providing journalists global exposure to science, technology, and advanced research institutions.
  • 🎯 Passion Projects: Fellows pursue journalism-related research projects leveraging MIT and Boston-area resources, which can include long-form stories, multimedia, podcasts, or book proposals. Projects culminate in presentations and often result in published work.
  • 📚 Program Activities: Fellows participate in seminars, field trips to science institutions, skill-focused workshops (e.g., data journalism, podcasting, video), and audit courses at MIT, Harvard, and other local universities, while building a strong community through social events.
  • 💰 Benefits: Fellows receive an $85,000 stipend over 9.5 months, a travel/housing stipend, and basic health insurance for themselves and their family.
  • ✅ Eligibility: Full-time journalists with ≥3 years of experience in science, health, tech, or environmental reporting; roles include reporters, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, or photojournalists. Recent long fellowships (≥4 months in last 2 years) disqualify applicants.
  • 🌐 International Applicants: Encouraged to apply; selected candidates require a J-1 visa, with MIT sponsoring through the International Scholars Office. English proficiency is verified via interview or tests (TOEFL/IELTS).
  • 🗂 Application Components: Includes a professional autobiography (≤500 words), resume/CV, research project proposal (≤500 words), five work samples, and three professional references. Minimal AI use is allowed only for grammar/spelling corrections, with disclosure.
  • ⏳ Application Process: Applications reviewed January–March, semifinalists interviewed via video in March, and fellowship recipients announced in April.
  • 🏡 Fellowship Life: Fellows reside full-time in Boston/Cambridge, complete a research project, attend seminars/field trips/workshops, take at least one science course per semester, and avoid outside paid work unless approved.
  • 💡 Living Costs: Housing is the largest expense ($2,000–$5,000/month), plus moving costs. Stipends are intended to cover these expenses.
  • 📖 Past Fellow Projects: Topics have included misinformation, AI in journalism, public health, and other science reporting. Many projects result in articles, podcasts, documentaries, or books.
  • 📧 Contact: For questions, email knight-info@mit.edu.

Designation

Knight Science Journalism Fellow

Research Area

10 Master’s Students at Universität Hamburg, Germany
Read more10 Master's Students at Universität Hamburg, Germany

Science, Health, Technology, and Environmental Journalism

Location

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Eligibility/Qualification

  • Open to international applicants.
  • Candidates must be full-time journalists (either freelancers or employed by media outlets).
  • A minimum of three years of relevant experience in reporting on science, health, technology, or the environment.
  • Applicants can be from print, digital, or broadcast media, including roles such as reporters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, or photojournalists.
  • Candidates must not have completed a fellowship lasting four months or more in the two years prior to applying.
  • No application fee is required.
  • No English language test is needed.

Job Description

Italian Government Scholarship for MSc and PhD Students
Read moreItalian Government Scholarship for MSc and PhD Students

The fellowship involves completing a journalism-related research project that may include:

  • Long-form narratives
  • Multimedia reporting
  • Audio and video projects
  • Research for book ideas

Fellows will conduct field visits to significant scientific sites and participate in social events aimed at building a community among fellows and faculty.

How to Apply

  1. The application process is done entirely online.
  2. Applicants must submit their project ideas and relevant portfolio materials.
  3. Results will be announced in April 2025.

Last Date to Apply

January 9, 2026

Apply