The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT is pleased to announce its academic-year fellowship program for international journalists. The Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT designs this fellowship to recognize and reward journalists who demonstrate a high level of professional excellence and accomplishment, as well as a long-term commitment to their craft.

 

About the Fellowship

The Knight Science Journalism fellowship program offers 10 science journalists from around the globe the opportunity to explore science, technology, and the craft of journalism at MIT. Fellows will spend nine months in Cambridge, pursuing a research project, attending seminars, and auditing courses at MIT and Harvard.

 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a KSJ Fellowship, applicants must:

-Work as full-time journalists, either on staff or as freelancers.

– Possess at least three consecutive years of experience in covering science, health, technology, and environmental reporting.

– Hold positions as reporters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, or photojournalists

 

Benefits

Fellows will receive:

– An $85,000 stipend paid out in installments over 9.5 months

– A travel and housing stipend paid near the start of the fellowship

– Basic health insurance for each fellow and their family

 

Requirements for The Knight Science Journalism Fellowship 

Applicants must submit:

– A professional autobiography: Describe, in 500 words or less, why you want to participate in the Knight Science Journalism Fellowship Program and how it fits with your professional goals.

– A statement outlining their goals for the fellowship year: The research project must be based in journalism, but it can expand beyond traditional parameters and be created in any format: long-form, story series, multimedia, video, audio, installation, etc.

– Three samples of their work

– Three letters of recommendation

– CV or Resume: Provide a brief overview of your education, work history, and professional honors. (Freelancers should include a list of freelance jobs completed in the past 12 months. Include each story, venue, and date of publication or broadcast.)

 

Requirements Specific to International Candidates

When selected, international candidates must

– Obtain a valid visa from the U.S. State Department (typically a J-1 visa, sponsored by MIT through the International Scholars Office)

– Verify English language proficiency through an application interview(s) and/or an English language proficiency test (such as IELTS, TOEFL)

– They do not require language proficiency tests, but may it strengthen applications of candidates whose first/native language is not English

– They do not require Visa-related documentation as part of the initial application

 

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Application Instructions

To apply, please submit your application through the online portal. 

The application deadline is January 15, 2025.

 

Contact Information

For further questions, please email knight-info@mit.edu.