Knight Science Journalism Program

The Knight Science Journalism Program (KSJ) offers fellowships to 10 science journalists from around the globe, giving them an opportunity to explore science, technology, and the craft of journalism; to concentrate on a specialty in science; and to learn at some of the top research universities in the world. Applicants must be:

  • Full-time journalists, whether on staff or freelance. Part-time writers or producers are not eligible.
  • Have at least three consecutive years of experience covering science, health, technology, and environmental reporting.
  • Be reporters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, or photojournalists. This includes work for newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and digital media.

Journalists who are selected spend one academic year on campus and take courses at MIT, Harvard and other Boston-area universities; participate in weekly seminars with experts in a variety of fields; attend skills-focused workshops; visit laboratories; go on field trips; and pursue independent projects. They also complete a journalism-based research project and build expertise in a particular area of interest, which may lead to an in-depth article, book proposal, podcast, video or other final product.

Science journalists face some of the most difficult challenges of reporting. They must convey complex, technical subjects in direct, simple terms to readers and viewers who demand and have a right to accurate, fair, and clear information about scientific developments that affect not only their views of the world but their lives and livelihoods. Reporting both the news and its implications is further complicated by the naturally advancing complexity of science, as well as the spread of disinformation/misinformation and growing public mistrust of science. The KSJ Fellowships are designed to help journalists face these challenges by widening their knowledge of science and technology and deepening their understanding of how these fields interact with society. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is the primary funder of the KSJ Program that offers other outreach and training programs and publishes the digital science magazine Undark. KSJ is part of MIT's Program in Science, Technology, and Society 

For further information, contact Myles Crowley, program administrator.