The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program: Paid Remote Fellowship for Science Journalists Worldwide

The Open Notebook (TON) offers a paid, remote, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists who want to strengthen their reporting, interviewing, writing, and storytelling skills while gaining practical experience in professional science journalism.

During the year-long fellowship, participants work closely with experienced science-journalism mentors to develop story ideas, report and write articles for publication at The Open Notebook, receive editorial guidance, and become part of TON’s wider editorial and fellowship community.

For the 2026 fellowship period described by The Open Notebook, the program ran for 12 months, was conducted remotely and part-time, and offered a $6,600 stipend. The scheduled start date was February 23, 2026.

However, prospective applicants should pay close attention to the application status. Applications for the 2026 fellowship period are now closed. The Open Notebook states that it expects applications for the 2027 fellowship to open by late September 2026. Applicants interested in the next cycle should therefore monitor The Open Notebook for the announcement of the 2027 application deadline.

This detailed guide explains how The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship works, what fellows do, the expected time commitment, eligibility requirements, selection criteria, application materials, and other important information prospective applicants should understand.

About The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program

The Open Notebook’s Early-Career Fellowship is designed to help emerging science journalists develop professionally through practical reporting, writing, editing, mentoring, and participation in an established science-journalism community.

Rather than functioning solely as a classroom-style training program, the fellowship places participants in a real editorial environment. Fellows work with mentors to plan, report, write, revise, and prepare articles for publication by The Open Notebook.

The program lasts for one year and is conducted remotely on a part-time basis.

The fellowship is supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, which The Open Notebook says has supported the program since 2013.

For journalists at an early stage of their careers, this structure provides an opportunity to develop their craft while building published work and professional relationships within the science-journalism community.

The Open Notebook Fellowship at a Glance

The key details provided for the 2026 fellowship cycle were:

• Program duration: 12 months
• Working arrangement: Part-time
• Location: Remote
• 2026 fellowship start date: February 23, 2026
• Stipend: $6,600
• 2026 application deadline: October 31, 2025
• Current application status: Closed
• Expected opening of 2027 applications: By late September 2026

Applicants should understand that October 31, 2025 is not the deadline for the upcoming 2027 fellowship. It was the deadline for applications to the 2026 fellowship period. The deadline for the 2027 cycle was not provided in the supplied information.

What Fellows Do During the Program

The fellowship centers on practical journalism.

During the remote, part-time program, fellows pitch, report, and write articles intended for publication by The Open Notebook.

The work includes a mixture of “story behind the story” interviews and reported features, allowing fellows to explore how journalism is produced while simultaneously improving their own reporting and writing skills.

An important part of the program is the relationship between each fellow and an experienced science journalist serving as a mentor.

One-on-One Mentorship

Fellows have weekly phone or video meetings with their mentors.

Mentors help fellows:

• Develop and refine potential story ideas;
• Shape stories into workable projects;
• Improve reporting techniques;
• Strengthen writing;
• Review and edit article drafts;
• Navigate the reporting and revision process;
• Develop their understanding of the craft of science journalism; and
• Think about broader professional and career-development questions.

The mentoring component therefore extends beyond correcting individual articles. It is designed to help fellows become stronger journalists and make more informed decisions as they develop their careers.

Become Part of The Open Notebook Editorial Community

The fellowship also provides a community element.

Fellows and mentors participate in a Slack discussion group that includes current and former fellowship participants as well as editors from The Open Notebook.

Fellows participate in cohort-based activities through this Slack community during the fellowship.

Importantly, membership in the community continues after the fellowship ends.

This can be particularly valuable for early-career journalists because professional development often depends not only on technical skills but also on access to peers, experienced journalists, editors, feedback, and professional relationships.

How Much Work Does the Fellowship Require?

Although the fellowship is part-time, applicants should not assume that the workload is minimal.

The Open Notebook estimates that most fellows spend approximately five to seven hours per week on average completing fellowship-related responsibilities.

However, this is an estimate rather than a fixed weekly workload.

The amount of time required can vary depending on:

• A fellow’s previous journalism experience;
• Individual working and writing style;
• The complexity of a particular article;
• Whether the fellow is researching, reporting, writing, revising, or fact-checking at a particular point in the process; and
• The number and complexity of revisions required.

Some weeks may consequently require more than five to seven hours, while others may require less.

Fellows Are Expected to Produce Four Major Articles

A major component of the fellowship is producing four articles of approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words each for The Open Notebook.

Producing these stories involves considerably more than simply drafting four pieces.

Fellows are expected to participate in the broader reporting and editorial process, which may include:

1. Developing story ideas;
2. Researching proposed subjects;
3. Conducting interviews;
4. Reporting stories;
5. Writing drafts;
6. Receiving editorial feedback;
7. Completing multiple rounds of revisions;
8. Annotating stories for fact-checking;
9. Meeting article deadlines; and
10. Preparing work for eventual publication.

The program therefore requires sustained engagement throughout the year.

Applicants Should Carefully Consider the Weekly Commitment

The Open Notebook specifically warns prospective applicants that balancing the fellowship with other commitments can be challenging.

Successful fellows must be able to make sufficient time for the program and meet deadlines consistently.

Among other responsibilities, participants should expect to make time for:

• Phone interviews with sources, which ordinarily take place during U.S. daytime hours;
• Weekly telephone or video meetings with their mentors;
• Multiple rounds of editing and revision for most articles;
• Story annotation as part of fact-checking; and
• Participation in conversations and activities within the fellowship Slack community.

This consideration may be particularly important for applicants combining the fellowship with full-time employment, graduate studies, dissertations, freelance work, family responsibilities, or other substantial professional obligations.

Eligibility Requirements for The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship

The fellowship is intended for early-career science journalists.

One of its most significant features is its international accessibility. Applicants do not have to live in the United States. The Open Notebook explicitly states that people living outside the U.S. are welcome to apply.

This makes the program relevant to emerging science journalists around the world.

Some Public-Facing Writing Experience Is Required

Applicants must have some training and/or experience in writing for the general public.

Extensive professional experience is not required. In fact, the program is specifically designed for journalists who are still relatively early in their careers.

However, applicants cannot be completely without relevant experience or training. They need to demonstrate at least some background in public-facing writing.

Professional Science-Writing Experience Limit

Science journalists and aspiring science journalists should generally have fewer than three years of regular professional science-writing experience.

There are important qualifications to this rule.

Internships and student work do not count toward the fewer-than-three-years requirement.

The Open Notebook may also make exceptions where an applicant has more than three years of professional science-writing experience but some or all of that professional experience was not in English.

This provision can make the program more accessible to journalists who developed professionally in another language before moving into English-language science journalism.

English-Language Requirements

Applications must be submitted in English.

This requirement extends to:

• Application responses;
• Writing samples; and
• Letters of recommendation.

However, materials that were originally produced in another language may be translated into English and submitted.

The selection criteria also indicate that applicants whose first language is not English are not expected to demonstrate flawless English writing.

Nevertheless, participants need a sufficiently high level of English proficiency to work effectively within the fellowship’s reporting, writing, editing, mentoring, and publication process.

What The Open Notebook Looks for When Selecting Fellows

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements does not automatically make an applicant competitive.

The Open Notebook identifies several qualities that receive priority during selection.

1. Serious Interest in Professional Science Journalism

Applicants should demonstrate a strong intention to work primarily as professional science journalists.

This distinction is important.

The fellowship is specifically focused on journalism rather than the much broader field of science communication. Applicants should therefore be able to demonstrate that journalism itself is central to their professional goals.

2. Experience Writing About Science for the Public

Candidates should have at least some training or experience communicating science through writing intended for a general audience.

The experience does not need to be extensive.

3. Understanding of the Science-Journalism Profession

Strong candidates should demonstrate some awareness of:

• How science journalism works;
• Challenges commonly encountered by science journalists;
• Skills they currently possess;
• Areas in which they need additional development; and
• How the fellowship could help them grow professionally.

Applicants should therefore approach the application as an opportunity to demonstrate both existing knowledge and a thoughtful understanding of their own development needs.

4. Familiarity With The Open Notebook

Candidates should familiarize themselves with The Open Notebook and the kinds of stories it publishes.

This becomes particularly important because applicants are required to propose potential TON stories as part of the application.

A generic journalism proposal that does not fit The Open Notebook’s editorial focus is unlikely to demonstrate the same preparation as a proposal clearly developed with the publication in mind.

5. Ability to Generate Strong Story Ideas

Applicants should demonstrate that they can develop interesting and appropriate story ideas suitable for The Open Notebook.

Story ideation is therefore an important part of the selection process.

6. Reliability and Commitment to Deadlines

The program emphasizes conscientiousness and the ability to deliver high-quality work on schedule.

Because fellows go through a rigorous editorial process involving reporting, writing, editing, revisions, fact-checking, and publication, reliability is an important professional requirement.

7. Strong Writing Ability

Writing ability is another selection factor.

Applicants whose first language is not English should note that The Open Notebook says it takes this into consideration and does not expect flawless English.

However, participants need enough English proficiency to successfully complete a demanding English-language journalism fellowship.

Required Application Materials

The fellowship application requires several components. Prospective candidates can strengthen their preparation by understanding these requirements well before applications open.

1. Responses to Application Questions

Applicants are asked to respond to questions addressing topics including:

• Why they are interested in the fellowship;
• What they hope to learn from participating;
• Previous training and/or experience writing science stories for the general public;
• Particular skills, interests, or perspectives they could bring to the fellowship; and
• Their broader plans during the fellowship period.

The final area is particularly important because The Open Notebook wants to understand what other commitments applicants may have during the fellowship.

For example, an applicant may simultaneously be:

• Completing a dissertation;
• Freelancing;
• Looking for full-time employment;
• Studying;
• Working elsewhere; or
• Managing another major professional commitment.

Candidates should answer these questions carefully and accurately, particularly given the fellowship’s significant time requirements.

2. Two Short Story Proposals

Applicants must submit two short proposals for potential The Open Notebook features or multimedia stories.

These should be ideas suitable for publication by TON.

Possible formats include:

• Behind-the-story interviews with writers;
• Reported features examining an aspect of the craft of science writing;
• Roundtable discussions; or
• Other creative feature-length projects focused on the craft of science writing.

Each proposal is approximately 100 words.

These are brief proposals rather than complete, full-scale pitches.

Because applicants are specifically evaluated partly on their familiarity with The Open Notebook and their ability to generate appropriate story ideas, prospective candidates should spend time reading TON before developing their proposals.

3. Resume or CV

Applicants must provide a resume or curriculum vitae (CV).

The document should enable reviewers to understand the applicant’s educational, writing, journalism, employment, training, and other relevant professional background.

4. One Letter of Reference

Applicants need one reference letter.

The reference may come from an appropriate person such as a:

• Professor;
• Editor;
• Mentor;
• Supervisor; or
• Professional colleague.

Applicants should select someone capable of speaking meaningfully about their skills and personal or professional qualities as they relate to science journalism and participation in the fellowship.

Candidates should also contact their prospective referee early rather than waiting until the final days of the application process.

5. Up to Two Writing or Multimedia Samples

Candidates can submit up to two writing or multimedia samples intended for the general public.

Scientific or academic writing is not appropriate for this requirement.

For audio or multimedia work, applicants may place URLs linking to the work into a PDF and upload that document.

Samples must be available in English, although translated work is accepted.

Applicants should therefore select examples that demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively with general audiences rather than submitting highly technical academic publications simply because those pieces concern science.

6. Optional Background Information

The application also provides candidates with an optional opportunity to share additional information about themselves.

The Open Notebook states that it strongly encourages writers from all types of backgrounds to apply.

Applicants who belong to groups or communities historically marginalized or underrepresented in U.S. journalism are invited to provide that information if they wish.

Disclosure is entirely optional, and The Open Notebook states that information disclosed in this section is kept confidential.

Application Deadline for the 2026 Fellowship

For the 2026 fellowship cycle, applications had to be received by:

11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time on October 31, 2025.

The reference-letter deadline was later:

November 7, 2025.

Applicants were advised to notify their letter writers well ahead of the deadline so referees would have sufficient time to prepare thoughtful recommendations.

These deadlines have now passed.

What About the 2027 Fellowship Deadline?

Prospective applicants should distinguish between the completed 2026 application cycle and the upcoming 2027 cycle.

The Open Notebook states that applications for the 2026 fellowship period have closed and that it expects to open applications for the 2027 fellowship by late September 2026.

The supplied program information does not provide the 2027 application deadline.

Therefore, prospective 2027 applicants should not assume that October 31 will automatically be the next deadline. They should check the official 2027 fellowship announcement once applications open for the confirmed closing date and any updated program requirements.

How Prospective 2027 Applicants Can Prepare

Although the next application period has not yet opened according to the supplied information, prospective candidates can use the time before the launch to prepare.

Step 1: Read The Open Notebook Extensively

Candidates should become familiar with TON’s editorial approach and the subjects it covers.

This preparation can help applicants understand what constitutes an appropriate story idea and make their two short proposals substantially more relevant.

Step 2: Review Your Professional Experience

Applicants should determine whether they satisfy the early-career experience requirement, particularly the guideline concerning fewer than three years of regular professional science-writing experience.

Remember that internships and student work are excluded from that calculation.

Step 3: Select Potential Work Samples

Review previously published or completed public-facing journalism and identify up to two strong samples.

Candidates whose strongest work was originally published in another language can consider preparing English translations because translated materials are permitted.

Step 4: Identify a Strong Referee

Consider who can provide the most meaningful assessment of your potential as a science journalist.

The best referee is not necessarily the person with the most prestigious title. A professor, editor, supervisor, mentor, or colleague who knows your work well may be better positioned to provide a detailed recommendation.

Step 5: Develop Potential TON Story Ideas

Because two short proposals form part of the application, candidates can begin observing recurring questions, challenges, techniques, and emerging issues in the craft of science journalism.

Ideas can then be evaluated against the kinds of stories The Open Notebook actually publishes.

Step 6: Assess Your Availability

Before applying, consider whether you can realistically commit to the fellowship for an entire year.

The estimated five-to-seven-hour average weekly workload should not be interpreted as a guaranteed maximum. Reporting deadlines, revisions, interviews, and fact-checking may make particular weeks significantly busier.

Why This Fellowship Can Be Valuable for Early-Career Science Journalists

The structure of The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship brings together several forms of professional development that emerging journalists often need simultaneously.

Fellows receive:

• Practical reporting assignments;
• Publication opportunities;
• One-on-one mentorship;
• Editorial guidance;
• Repeated feedback and revision experience;
• Exposure to professional fact-checking processes;
• Experience developing and pitching story ideas;
• Participation in an editorial community;
• Contact with current and former fellows;
• Career-development guidance; and
• Financial support through the fellowship stipend.

The combination of mentoring and actual publication work is particularly significant. Fellows are not simply learning about journalism in theory; they are expected to practice the reporting, writing, revision, and deadline-management processes required in professional journalism.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Prospective applicants should carefully consider several questions before submitting an application:

1. Do I genuinely intend to pursue journalism?
   The program prioritizes applicants who want professional science journalism, rather than other forms of science communication, to be their primary professional direction.
2. Do I have enough relevant experience to qualify?
   Applicants need some training or experience writing for the general public, even though extensive experience is not required.
3. Am I still within the early-career experience range?
   Applicants should review the fewer-than-three-years professional science-writing guideline and its stated exceptions.
4. Can I work effectively in English?
   Perfect English is not expected from applicants who speak it as an additional language, but sufficient proficiency is necessary to participate successfully.
5. Can I make time for the program?
   Five to seven hours per week is an average estimate, and some periods can demand considerably more time.
6. Can I reliably meet deadlines?
   Fellows need to complete stories, revisions, fact-checking preparations, meetings, and other responsibilities according to schedule.
7. Do I understand The Open Notebook?
   Familiarity with the publication is an explicit selection consideration and is particularly important when developing the two proposed story ideas.

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Conclusion

The The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship Program offers emerging science journalists an opportunity to develop professional skills through a combination of mentorship, reporting, writing, editing, publication, and community participation.

The remote, part-time structure makes the fellowship accessible to applicants beyond the United States, while its focus on early-career journalists provides developing writers with an opportunity to learn directly from experienced science-journalism professionals.

For the 2026 fellowship period, the program offered a $6,600 stipend, lasted 12 months, began on February 23, 2026, and required an estimated average commitment of approximately five to seven hours per week.

The 2026 application deadline was October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time, with reference letters due November 7, 2025. That application cycle is now closed.

The next important date for prospective applicants is therefore the expected opening of the 2027 fellowship application cycle by late September 2026. Since the supplied information does not specify the 2027 deadline, prospective applicants should monitor The Open Notebook’s official fellowship information for the new application announcement and confirmed deadline.

In the meantime, potential candidates can prepare by reading The Open Notebook’s journalism, developing appropriate story ideas, identifying strong work samples and a suitable referee, reviewing their eligibility, and ensuring they can make the substantial year-long commitment the fellowship requires.

For aspiring and early-career science journalists seeking structured mentorship, professional editorial experience, published work, and deeper involvement in the international science-journalism community, The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship is an opportunity worth preparing for well before the next application window opens.

If you have any questions, please email TON executive director and editor-in-chief Siri Carpenter: siricarpenter@theopennotebook.com.

Visit the OFY website for more Fellowship Opportunities.