The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship is a paid, part-time, one-year remote program designed to support emerging science journalists in developing their reporting and storytelling skills. Through mentorship and hands-on publishing experience, fellows work closely with professional editors to produce high-quality science journalism and build a strong foundation for their careers.

What’s Offered

• A 12-month, part-time remote fellowship with a flexible working structure
• A $6,600 stipend to support fellows throughout the program
• One-on-one mentorship with experienced science journalists
• Opportunities to pitch, report, and publish articles in The Open Notebook
• Weekly mentorship sessions and detailed editorial feedback
• Access to a global network of fellows, editors, and alumni

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to early-career science journalists worldwide
• Applicants should have some experience writing for the public
• Must have fewer than three years of professional science writing experience
• Strong interest in pursuing a career in science journalism
• Proficiency in English (application and writing samples required in English)

Program Structure

• Fellows produce four in-depth articles (1,500–2,000 words each) for publication
• Weekly mentor meetings for guidance, feedback, and career development
• Collaboration with peers and editors through a cohort-based system
• Estimated commitment of 5–7 hours per week
• Strong focus on storytelling, reporting, interviewing, and editorial quality

Focus Area

• Science Journalism
• Reporting and storytelling
• Media and communication

Deadline

• October 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time)