Deadline: January 15, 2026
The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT 2026-2027 is now open for applications, offering one of the world’s most prestigious fellowships for science, technology, health and environmental journalists. This highly competitive programme brings together leading mid-career journalists from across the globe for an intensive nine-and-a-half-month academic experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The fellowship is designed to deepen journalistic expertise, expand professional networks and support ambitious reporting projects. The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT 2026-2027 remains a top choice for journalists seeking advanced study, research opportunities and skill-building in science storytelling.
About the Opportunity
The Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) Academic-Year Fellowship selects 10 outstanding journalists each cycle, providing them with access to world-class research institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University.
Fellows participate in:
- Expert-led seminars
- Field trips and newsroom visits
- Skill-building workshops in data journalism, multimedia, audio, video and digital storytelling
- Opportunities to audit courses at MIT, Harvard and other local universities
Fellows must audit at least one science course per semester, but may tailor their course load to support their professional and project goals.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a full-time journalist, either on staff or freelance.
- Have a minimum of three consecutive years of professional experience covering science, health, technology or the environment.
- Be working in roles such as reporter, editor, writer, producer, illustrator, filmmaker, photojournalist or multimedia journalist across print, digital, television, radio or online platforms.
- Must not have completed another fellowship lasting four months or more within the two years preceding the application.
Part-time writers or producers are not eligible.
Benefits / Award Details
Selected fellows receive:
- A US$85,000 stipend, disbursed over the 9.5-month fellowship period.
- A travel and housing stipend at the start of the programme.
- Basic health insurance for the fellow and their family during the fellowship year.
This fully-funded programme allows fellows to pursue advanced academic study without work obligations or publishing requirements.
Application Requirements / Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- Statement of Purpose (up to 500 words): explaining motivation for applying and intended use of the fellowship year.
- Career Summary (up to 200 words): a concise overview of professional experience.
- Resume/CV: including employment history and publications; freelancers must list recent freelance work.
- Research Project Proposal (up to 500 words): a journalism-based project to develop during the fellowship. Book projects are permitted but cannot be under contract during the fellowship year.
- Three work samples that best represent journalistic quality and focus. English translations must accompany non-English work.
- Three professional references (email addresses required). Reference letters are requested via Submittable.
Timeline / Key Dates
- Applications Open: 15 November 2025
- Application Deadline: 9 January 2026 (official KSJ deadline)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early to avoid system delays.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted online via the programme’s application portal. Applicants must upload all required documents and provide reference details directly in the system.
Selection Process
A committee of distinguished journalists, editors and academics evaluates applications based on professional experience, commitment to science journalism, quality of work samples and the strength of the proposed project. Only candidates demonstrating exceptional journalistic excellence and potential for growth are selected.
Additional Information / Terms
- Fellows must reside in Cambridge/Boston for the duration of the fellowship.
- No fellowship-related work obligations are required.
- The programme does not allow participants to work as reporters while in residence.
- Projects undertaken during the fellowship must be journalism-focused and ethically aligned with KSJ standards.
Host Organisation
The Knight Science Journalism Program is housed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a global leader in science, engineering and innovation. KSJ has supported excellence in science journalism for over four decades, equipping journalists with the tools, knowledge and connections to inform the public on the world’s most critical scientific issues.
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