Want to build a career in science journalism but need more experience, editorial guidance and published work? The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship 2027 offers aspiring science journalists a chance to develop their reporting and writing skills with support from experienced journalists and editors.
This paid, part-time, remote fellowship is open to applicants living around the world, including those outside the United States. Selected fellows receive a total stipend of $6,600 over the 12-month programme, beginning in February 2027.
Applications are now open, but the deadline is approaching. Here is what you need to know before applying.
Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: Early-Career Fellowship
- Host Organization: The Open Notebook
- Funding Partner: Burroughs Wellcome Fund
- Location: Remote
- Duration: 12 months, part-time
- Mode: Remote
- Nationality: Open worldwide; applicants outside the United States are welcome
- Age Limit: No specific age limit stated
- Minimum Degree Required: No specific degree requirement stated
- Eligible Fields: Science Journalism, Science Writing, Health Journalism, Environmental Journalism and Public-Facing Science Communication
- Work Experience Required: Some training or experience writing for the general public; fewer than three years of regular professional science-writing experience
- Stipend / Financial Support: $6,600 total for the fellowship
- Application Fee: No application fee
- Application Deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time
- Reference Letter Deadline: November 7, 2026
- Programme Start Date: February 9, 2027
- Application Language: English
- Official Website: https://www.theopennotebook.com/early-career-fellowship-program/
What Is The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship?
The Open Notebook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving science journalism through educational resources, editorial guidance and professional development.
Its Early-Career Fellowship helps aspiring science journalists understand how strong science stories are developed, researched, reported, edited and published.
During the programme, fellows work with an experienced science journalist who helps them develop story ideas, conduct interviews, improve their writing and navigate the editorial process.
The fellowship is particularly useful for people who want to make science understandable and engaging for general audiences, rather than writing exclusively for academic or scientific publications.
What Does the Fellowship Offer?
1. A $6,600 stipend
Each fellow receives a total stipend of $6,600 for the 12-month programme.
This is the total fellowship award, not a monthly salary. Applicants should plan their finances accordingly, particularly if they intend to combine the fellowship with other work or study.
2. One-on-one mentorship
Fellows work with an experienced science journalist who provides guidance on:
- Developing and refining story ideas.
- Interviewing researchers, writers and other sources.
- Reporting and structuring compelling stories.
- Improving clarity, accuracy and storytelling.
- Revising articles in response to editorial feedback.
- Building professional skills and planning a journalism career.
Mentors meet with fellows weekly by phone or video.
3. Published work and editorial experience
Fellows pitch, report and write four articles for publication at The Open Notebook. These typically include interviews exploring how science stories are made and reported features about the craft of science writing.
Each article generally runs between 1,500 and 2,000 words.
The experience provides an opportunity to build a portfolio of published work and learn how a professional editorial process operates.
4. An international journalism community
Fellows participate in a Slack-based community with mentors, editors and current and former fellowship participants.
This provides opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and learn from people working in science journalism in different parts of the world. Access to the fellowship community continues after the programme ends.
Are There Any Hidden Charges?
The fellowship offers a stipend, but applicants should understand what the official programme does and does not promise.
Application fee: The official programme page does not list a mandatory application fee.
Travel and relocation: The fellowship is remote, so relocation is not a programme requirement. The official page does not promise reimbursement for every personal expense.
Equipment and internet: No universal reimbursement for personal equipment, internet or other home-working expenses is specified in the published programme information.
Stipend limitations: The $6,600 is the total fellowship stipend. Applicants should not interpret it as a monthly salary or assume that every expense associated with participating will be reimbursed.
Before accepting an award, review the fellowship agreement for payment arrangements, tax obligations and any additional conditions.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is intended for early-career science journalists and aspiring science writers who want to develop their professional skills.
1. Early-career experience
Applicants generally must have fewer than three years of regular professional science-writing experience.
Internships and student work do not count towards this three-year limit. The Open Notebook may also consider exceptions where an applicant has more than three years of professional experience but some or all of that experience was not in English.
2. Some writing experience or training
You do not need an extensive journalism background, but you must have some training or experience writing about science for the general public.
Relevant experience could include science-writing coursework, public-facing articles, freelance assignments, institutional publications or other work that demonstrates your ability to communicate science clearly.
Academic papers alone may not demonstrate the kind of public-facing writing the programme seeks.
3. Interest in a journalism career
The selection process prioritizes applicants who intend to work primarily as professional science journalists.
Applicants should understand the profession, demonstrate curiosity about how science stories are reported and show a commitment to developing their reporting and writing skills.
4. English-language application
Applications, writing samples and recommendation letters must be in English. Materials translated into English from another language are acceptable.
You do not need to be a native English speaker, but you should be able to communicate clearly and participate in interviews, mentoring meetings and editorial discussions in English.
5. International applicants are welcome
You can apply if you live outside the United States. The programme explicitly welcomes international applicants.
No specific nationality restriction or age limit is listed on the official programme page.
How Much Time Will You Need?
Although the fellowship is part-time and remote, it requires a meaningful commitment.
The Open Notebook estimates an average commitment of approximately 5–7 hours per week for most fellows. Some weeks may require more time, especially during interviews, reporting, editing and revisions.
Your responsibilities include:
- Producing four articles during the fellowship.
- Attending weekly mentor meetings.
- Interviewing sources, often during U.S. daytime hours.
- Participating in editorial discussions and cohort activities.
- Fact-checking and revising your work.
- Meeting article deadlines.
Before applying, consider whether you can maintain this commitment alongside employment, education or freelance assignments.
How to Apply for The Open Notebook Fellowship 2027
Follow these steps to prepare your application.
Step 1: Review the official fellowship guidelines.
Read the eligibility requirements, selection criteria and application instructions on The Open Notebook’s website.
Step 2: Prepare your application responses.
The application asks about your interest in the fellowship, your science-writing experience, the skills and perspectives you would bring, and your plans during the fellowship year.
Step 3: Develop two story proposals.
Prepare two brief proposals of approximately 100 words each for potential articles or multimedia stories suitable for The Open Notebook.
Your ideas should demonstrate that you understand the publication’s focus on the craft of science journalism. Review its published articles before choosing your topics.
Step 4: Prepare your CV or résumé.
Highlight relevant writing, reporting, science communication, editorial work and training.
Step 5: Submit writing samples.
You may provide up to two writing or multimedia samples intended for a general audience. Academic or scientific writing alone is not sufficient for this requirement. Samples must be in English; translated materials are accepted.
Step 6: Arrange a reference letter.
The application requires one letter of reference. A professor, editor, mentor, supervisor or colleague who can speak to your relevant abilities may serve as a referee.
Contact your referee early so they have enough time to prepare the letter.
Step 7: Submit before the deadline.
Complete the application using the official programme page and ensure that all required materials are submitted by October 31, 2026.
Application Deadline and Important Dates
- Application deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time.
- Reference letter deadline: November 7, 2026.
- Fellowship start date: February 9, 2027.
- Programme duration: 12 months.
The reference letter has a separate deadline, but you should not delay the main application while waiting until the last minute to arrange it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Open Notebook Fellowship 2027 fully funded?
The fellowship provides a total stipend of $6,600 for the year. However, the official programme does not promise coverage of all personal, equipment, internet or other expenses. It is more accurate to describe this as a paid fellowship rather than a fully funded, all-expenses-covered programme.
Can applicants from India apply?
Yes. Applicants living outside the United States are welcome to apply. The application and supporting materials must be in English.
Do I need a journalism degree?
No specific degree requirement is stated. The programme focuses on early-career science journalists who have some training or experience writing for the general public.
Can a science student or researcher apply?
Yes, if you have relevant public-facing writing experience or training and meet the early-career experience criteria. However, the programme prioritizes applicants whose main professional goal is science journalism rather than science communication more broadly.
Do I need previous professional journalism experience?
You need some relevant writing training or experience, but extensive experience is not required. The programme is designed for early-career applicants and aspiring science journalists.
Is the fellowship remote?
Yes. It is a part-time remote programme. Fellows still need to attend mentoring meetings, conduct interviews, participate in editorial activities and meet deadlines.
How many articles must fellows write?
Fellows pitch, report and write four articles for The Open Notebook during the programme. Articles are generally 1,500–2,000 words long.
Is there an application fee?
The official programme page does not list an application fee.
When does the fellowship begin?
The 2027 fellowship period begins on February 9, 2027.
Apply Through the Official Website
If you enjoy explaining science, asking thoughtful questions and turning complex research into accessible stories, The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship could be a valuable next step.
The combination of mentorship, published work and an international journalism community makes this opportunity particularly relevant to people building a career in science writing.
Apply here: https://www.theopennotebook.com/early-career-fellowship-program/
Application deadline: October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time.
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