Applications are now open for the WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship, a major international funding opportunity designed to help science journalists, media professionals, journalism students, and eligible researchers or educators attend the World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 in London, United Kingdom.

The World Conference of Science Journalists 2027, widely known as WCSJ 2027, will bring together the global science journalism community in London in September 2027 under the theme:

“Strengthening science journalism through global networks.”

The conference is hosted by the Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) and the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) and will provide a global platform for journalists and communicators to exchange ideas, discuss emerging challenges, strengthen professional networks, and examine the future of science journalism.

The Travel Fellowship is specifically intended for people who would otherwise struggle to attend because they have limited access to financial support through their employer, organization, institution, or country.

Successful applicants may receive support for:

• International or domestic travel to and from London
• UK visa application costs
• Limited local transport connected to the conference
• Up to six nights of accommodation
• Full conference registration
• Refreshments during the conference
• Lunches provided through the official conference programme

The fellowship does not provide a per diem.

Applications must be submitted through the official online application form by:

23 October 2026 at 23:59 BST

The application process is competitive and international. Applicants are assessed on professional merit, commitment to science journalism, motivation, potential contribution to WCSJ 2027, plans for sharing knowledge afterward, quality of previous journalistic work, and financial need.

About the World Conference of Science Journalists 2027

The World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 is one of the most important international gatherings for professionals working at the intersection of journalism, science, health, climate, technology, research, engineering, and public communication.

The event will take place in:

London, United Kingdom

The main conference is announced for:

6–9 September 2027

However, the Travel Fellowship eligibility information asks applicants to be available for the entire fellowship-related conference period from 6–10 September 2027.

Applicants should therefore plan to remain available through 10 September and follow the final schedule provided by WCSJ2027 organizers.

The conference theme is:

Strengthening science journalism through global networks

This theme reflects the increasing importance of international cooperation in a profession facing rapid technological, political, economic, and institutional change.

Science journalists today operate in an environment shaped by:

• Misinformation and disinformation
• Artificial intelligence
• Changing media business models
• Declining newsroom resources
• Climate change
• Public-health emergencies
• Scientific uncertainty
• Political polarization
• New digital platforms
• Trust in science
• Unequal access to reliable scientific information

WCSJ 2027 is intended to provide a space where journalists and related professionals can collectively discuss these challenges and strengthen networks capable of supporting high-quality, independent science journalism.

About the WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship

The Travel Fellowship was created to broaden access to WCSJ 2027.

It recognizes that many excellent journalists, journalism students, and media professionals cannot attend major international conferences because their organizations or institutions do not have sufficient travel budgets.

This can particularly affect professionals working in:

• Low-income countries
• Lower-middle-income countries
• Small independent media organizations
• Freelance journalism
• Underfunded newsrooms
• Universities with limited travel funding
• Emerging science journalism communities

The Fellowship therefore aims to increase:

• International participation
• Diversity
• Geographic representation
• Professional access
• Inclusion of people with limited funding opportunities

It is not restricted only to people whose job title is “science journalist.”

Applicants may qualify if journalism forms a meaningful part of their professional or academic work.

What the WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship Covers

Successful applicants receive a financial support package intended to make conference participation possible.

1. Travel to and From London

Approved travel may include transportation such as:

• Plane
• Train
• Coach
• Bus

WCSJ2027 Ltd will arrange and pay for approved travel directly.

Applicants should not assume they will simply receive a lump-sum travel payment.

The organizers will generally book approved transport and accommodation on behalf of successful fellows.

2. Visa Application Costs

The fellowship can support the cost of applying for a:

UK Standard Visitor visa

where one is required.

Applicants should check their visa requirements before applying.

They are specifically advised to use official UK government resources to determine whether they need a visa.

Applicants who require a visa should also consider the processing time involved and ensure that they can meet all required documentation and travel conditions.

3. Limited Local Transport

The Travel Fellowship may support local transport associated with attending the conference.

Examples may include transfers between:

• Airport and conference-related accommodation
• Railway station and accommodation
• Bus station and accommodation
• Main conference venue
• Workshop venues
• Official conference evening events where applicable

However, general local transportation in London that is unrelated to official conference activities is not automatically covered.

4. Accommodation

The fellowship includes:

Up to six nights of accommodation

Accommodation is expected to be booked directly by WCSJ2027 Ltd.

Applicants should not assume they can independently book additional hotel nights and request reimbursement.

Extra nights outside the approved fellowship period are not covered.

5. Full Conference Registration

Successful Travel Fellows receive:

Full WCSJ 2027 conference registration

This provides access to the official conference programme and professional activities.

6. Refreshments and Lunches

The fellowship includes:

• Refreshments during the official conference programme
• Lunches provided through the conference programme

However, meals outside the official conference schedule are not generally covered.

What the Fellowship Does Not Cover

Applicants should carefully understand the costs that remain their own responsibility.

The Travel Fellowship does not cover:

• General local transport in London unrelated to official venues or activities
• Local transport in the applicant’s home country
• Travel undertaken to obtain or renew a passport
• Travel undertaken to apply for a visa
• Additional hotel nights not booked by WCSJ2027
• Charges added personally to a hotel room
• Meals outside the official conference programme
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• Health expenses
• Per diem payments

This distinction is important when preparing the funding statement.

Applicants should think realistically about whether they can cover expenses that fall outside the fellowship package.

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to several categories of applicants.

1. Science Journalists and Other Media Professionals

Journalists who cover science or science-related subjects are eligible.

Relevant areas include:

• Science
• Engineering
• Climate
• Health
• Environment
• Medicine
• Technology
• Research
• Related scientific fields

Importantly, science journalism does not have to be the applicant’s primary profession or full-time beat.

A journalist who regularly covers health, climate, engineering, science policy, or other scientific subjects as part of a broader reporting role may qualify.

Eligible professionals may include:

• Staff journalists
• Freelance journalists
• Part-time journalists
• Full-time journalists
• Print journalists
• Online journalists
• Broadcast journalists
• Podcast journalists
• Multimedia journalists
• Producers
• Editors
• Other media professionals with a journalism track record

2. Journalism and Related Students

Students may also apply.

Relevant fields include:

• Science journalism
• Journalism
• Media studies
• Science communication
• Related disciplines

Students must:

• Be of legal age in their home country
• Be able to travel independently

Students should provide journalistic work where possible.

If they do not have enough published work, supervised long-form coursework may be accepted under certain conditions.

3. Researchers and Educators With Journalism Experience

Researchers and educators working in fields such as:

• Journalism
• Media studies
• Science communication

may also qualify.

However, they must demonstrate a proven track record in journalism.

A researcher or lecturer who works only in academic research, teaching, science communication, or public relations and has no professional journalistic involvement is not eligible.

This distinction is central to the fellowship.

Who Is Not Eligible?

Applicants are not eligible if they work exclusively in areas such as:

• Public relations
• Science communication
• Research
• Teaching

without a demonstrated professional involvement in journalism.

In other words, a person can be a science communicator, researcher, teacher, or academic and still qualify, but they must show that journalism is genuinely part of their work.

Applicants should be able to provide published journalistic work or, where applicable for students, acceptable supervised coursework.

No Minimum Professional Experience Requirement

There is:

No minimum number of years of professional experience

Applicants may therefore include both relatively early-career professionals and experienced journalists.

The application asks about years of experience primarily for contextual and statistical purposes rather than imposing a minimum threshold.

Previous Conference Attendance

Applicants who have attended the World Conference of Science Journalists before may still apply.

However, previous attendance may be used as a tie-breaker where candidates receive otherwise similar scores.

Similarly, applicants who previously received travel fellowship support may still apply, although that previous support may also be considered in a tie-breaking situation.

Geographic Eligibility

There are:

No formal geographic quotas

The programme seeks a globally diverse and internationally representative cohort.

Applicants may therefore potentially come from any country if they meet the professional and application requirements.

However, geographic background can influence the administrative review because WCSJ2027 wants to increase access for professionals with limited funding opportunities.

Applicants’ countries of residence will be considered using the World Bank country income classifications in effect on the application deadline.

Applicants normally based in countries classified as:

• Low-income
• Lower-middle-income

will receive additional consideration.

This does not mean applicants from upper-middle-income or high-income countries are automatically excluded.

Financial need and access to institutional support remain important considerations.

The Importance of Financial Need

Financial need is a central component of the Travel Fellowship.

Applicants will be asked to explain:

• What funding is already available to them
• Whether their employer can contribute
• Whether their institution can contribute
• Whether another grant supports them
• Why additional WCSJ2027 funding is necessary
• Whether they would be unable to attend without fellowship support

Applicants should be transparent.

Having access to some partial funding does not necessarily disqualify an applicant.

Candidates can explain what resources they already have and what gap remains.

Passport Requirements

Before applying, candidates should ensure that they:

• Already hold a passport valid until at least the end of September 2027, or
• Have already applied for a new or renewed passport and can provide evidence of that application

Applicants should not wait until selection to begin thinking about travel documents.

The fellowship will not pay for travel undertaken specifically to request or obtain a passport.

UK Visa Requirements

Applicants should determine whether they need a UK Standard Visitor visa.

Visa eligibility and requirements vary by nationality.

The programme directs candidates to official UK government sources.

Applicants who require a visa should make sure they can satisfy requirements in time for the September 2027 conference.

The fellowship may cover approved visa application costs but does not cover travel undertaken to attend a visa appointment.

English Language Requirement

The conference language is:

English

Applicants do not need to be native speakers.

They should, however, be able to:

• Understand the main points of presentations
• Participate in professional discussions
• Communicate with other attendees
• Benefit from conference sessions

The application itself must also be completed in English.

Applicants’ English is not expected to be perfect.

The organizers specifically emphasize that professional merit and content are more important than native-level English fluency.

Application Materials

Applicants will need to submit several pieces of professional and supporting information.

1. Current Professional Information

Applicants will provide details including:

• Current employer
• Institution
• Professional affiliation
• Current position
• Professional role
• Years of professional experience

This information helps reviewers understand the applicant’s professional context.

2. CV or Résumé

Applicants must submit a:

Maximum two-page CV or résumé

The document should focus on information most relevant to:

• Journalism
• Science reporting
• Media work
• Professional development
• Science communication where connected to journalism
• Awards
• Training
• Professional associations
• Relevant publications or projects

Because the limit is only two pages, applicants should prioritize carefully.

3. Professional Biography

Applicants must provide a professional biography.

This should present a concise overview of the candidate’s:

• Work
• Areas of expertise
• Professional interests
• Journalism background
• Geographic or thematic focus

The biography must be written in English.

4. Published Work Examples

Applicants will provide examples of professional work from the:

Past two years

Accepted work may include:

• Written journalism
• Audio journalism
• Video journalism
• Multimedia work

The quality of these examples is an important selection criterion.

Applicants should therefore choose pieces that best demonstrate:

• Accuracy
• Independence
• Critical thinking
• Reporting ability
• Quality of storytelling
• Scientific understanding
• Public relevance

Three Work Examples and Quality Assessment

The selection criteria state that the quality of professional work is assessed primarily through the:

Three work examples provided

Applicants should therefore treat these selections strategically.

Choose work that demonstrates your strongest journalism rather than simply the most recent pieces.

Work in Languages Other Than English

Applicants may submit journalistic work originally published in another language.

They should provide:

• The original work
• An English translation or transcript
• A link to the original publication where possible

AI-assisted translation is allowed.

However, the translation must remain faithful to the original work.

The original should also be provided so multilingual reviewers can assess it where possible.

English proficiency will not be used to downgrade the professional quality of work originally created in another language.

Accepted File Formats

Professional work may be supplied in formats such as:

• PDF
• MP3
• MP4
• JPEG
• PNG

Applicants should also provide links to original publications whenever possible.

Co-Authored Work

Co-authored or collaboratively produced work may be submitted.

However, applicants should:

• Be clearly identified as an author, or
• Clearly explain their contribution

This enables reviewers to assess the candidate’s individual professional contribution.

Unpublished Work

Media professionals generally cannot submit unpublished work as professional work examples.

Students are treated somewhat differently.

Students should submit published work whenever possible, including content from:

• University newspapers
• Student radio
• Blogs
• Other published student media

If a student cannot provide enough published work, supervised long-form coursework may be submitted, provided it is accompanied by confirmation from the teacher who supervised it.

Supporting Letter

Applicants must provide a supporting letter from an appropriate professional or institutional source.

This may come from:

• Employer
• Editor
• Educational institution
• Relevant professional association

The supporting letter must be:

• Written in English, or
• Accompanied by an English translation

If translated, the translation should be approved by the original author.

The person providing the letter should also read the WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship Privacy Notice because their personal and professional information may be processed during the application review.

Professional Questions in the Application

Applicants must answer several substantive questions.

These answers are a critical part of the selection process.

Why Do You Want to Attend WCSJ2027?

Applicants should explain specifically why this conference matters to their professional development.

Avoid generic answers such as:

“I want to network and learn new things.”

A stronger response should connect the WCSJ programme and international community to the applicant’s real professional goals.

What Do You Hope to Learn?

Applicants should identify concrete skills, knowledge, or professional insights they hope to gain.

Potential areas may include:

• Reporting methods
• Investigative techniques
• Covering emerging technologies
• Climate reporting
• Health journalism
• Scientific misinformation
• Data journalism
• Audience engagement
• Editorial innovation

The best answer will be specific to the applicant.

How Will Attendance Benefit Your Professional Work?

Applicants should explain how knowledge gained at WCSJ2027 could improve:

• Reporting
• Editing
• Teaching
• Professional networks
• Newsroom practices
• Coverage quality
• Professional leadership

The reviewers are looking for evidence that the fellowship will have an impact beyond a single international trip.

What Will You Contribute?

The conference seeks participants who contribute to the community rather than only receive benefits.

Applicants should consider what they bring through:

• Regional expertise
• Professional experience
• Language skills
• Specialized reporting
• Knowledge of local media environments
• Training experience
• Community leadership
• Underrepresented perspectives

How Will You Share What You Learn?

Applicants need to explain how conference knowledge will be shared afterward.

Possible approaches could include:

• Training colleagues
• Writing articles
• Hosting newsroom sessions
• Organizing workshops
• Sharing resources through professional associations
• Mentoring younger journalists
• Publishing conference reflections
• Building local networks

The strongest plans will be realistic and directly connected to existing professional communities.

Funding Statement

Applicants must provide a funding statement explaining:

• Current available support
• Funding gaps
• Why additional financial support is required

This is central to assessing need.

Reviewers handling professional merit will not necessarily have access to this financial information.

Selection Process

Applications undergo a:

Two-stage assessment

Stage 1: Professional Review

Professional reviewers assess areas including:

• Quality of journalism
• Professional experience
• Motivation
• Commitment to science journalism
• Potential contribution to WCSJ2027
• Professional-development potential

Stage 2: Administrative and Eligibility Review

Authorized WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship administrators assess:

• Eligibility
• Administrative completeness
• Financial need
• Programme objectives
• Overall geographic and professional composition of the cohort

This process helps the organizers balance professional merit with the fellowship’s goal of broadening access.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated against several published criteria.

Commitment to Science Journalism

Applicants should demonstrate engagement with:

• Accurate journalism
• Fair journalism
• Critical journalism
• Independent journalism

This can be shown through reporting, editorial work, professional activities, or broader contributions to science journalism.

Professional Development and Community Engagement

The reviewers will consider involvement in activities such as:

• Professional associations
• Journalist networks
• Training
• Teaching
• Mentoring
• Science journalism communities

Participation is not necessarily limited to formal organizations.

Motivation

Applicants should explain convincingly why WCSJ2027 specifically matters to their career.

Reviewers are looking for a well-expressed and engaging motivation rather than generic conference interest.

Potential Benefit and Contribution

The application should demonstrate both:

• What the applicant will gain
• What the applicant will contribute

This reciprocal approach is central to the fellowship.

Sharing the Benefits

Applicants should have a credible plan to extend the impact of their participation to others.

Reviewers will consider how knowledge might reach:

• Colleagues
• Professional networks
• Students
• Audiences
• Regional journalism communities

Quality of Professional Work

Professional quality is assessed primarily through the submitted work examples.

Applicants should select their strongest work carefully.

Financial Need

The programme specifically exists for candidates who would otherwise have difficulty attending.

Reviewers will therefore consider financial circumstances as an essential part of final funding decisions.

Diversity and International Representation

WCSJ2027 seeks a cohort that is:

• Diverse
• International
• Professionally varied
• Geographically representative

No geographic quotas are used.

However, geographic representation and limited funding opportunities may influence final cohort composition.

Privacy and Fair Assessment

Applicants must read the official WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship Privacy Notice before submitting.

The notice explains:

• How personal data will be used
• Applicant privacy rights
• Data-processing safeguards
• Selection procedures

Reviewers are also subject to an official agreement covering:

• Confidentiality
• Conflict of interest
• Fair assessment

Professional reviewers receive only the information required to assess merit.

They do not receive access to information such as:

• Passport details
• Contact information
• Funding statements

This separation is intended to support impartial assessment.

Online Application Only

Applications must be submitted through the official online form,

The organizers also provide an offline downloadable version of the form.

However, the offline document is only intended to help applicants prepare responses.

It cannot be submitted as the final application.

Saving and Returning to Your Application

The application takes approximately:

30 minutes

Applicants do not necessarily have to complete it in one sitting.

The form allows candidates to save their progress and return later.

Applicants may need to hover near the left side of the “Next” button to reveal the “Save” option.

Can You Correct an Application After Submission?

Yes.

Before the deadline, candidates can either:

• Submit a new application, or
• Contact the organizers

If multiple applications are submitted, only the:

Most recent application

will be considered.

Questions can be directed to:

info@absw.org.uk

Required Fields Are Important

Applicants must provide all information marked with a red asterisk.

If necessary information or supporting documentation is missing and reviewers cannot assess eligibility or professional merit, the application may be excluded.

Candidates should therefore conduct a complete final check before submission.

AI Use in Applications

WCSJ2027 permits AI tools for a very limited purpose:

Translation or transcription of professional work originally published in another language.

The translation must remain faithful to the original.

However, applicants are expected to write their own:

• Professional biography
• Motivation statement
• Knowledge-sharing plan
• Funding statement
• Other personal application responses

The organizers explicitly state that they do not expect perfect English.

Answers are evaluated primarily for substance rather than native-level language ability.

Key Dates

Applications open: 2026

Travel Fellowship deadline: October 23, 2026 at 23:59 BST

Conference: September 6–9, 2027

Travel Fellowship attendance requirement: Applicants should be available September 6–10, 2027

Location: London, United Kingdom

Important Pre-Application Checklist

Before submitting, applicants should confirm that they:

1. Meet one of the eligible professional or student categories.
2. Have journalism as part of their professional work, unless applying under the student provisions.
3. Can attend the entire required conference period.
4. Have or are applying for an appropriate passport.
5. Have checked whether they require a UK visa.
6. Can complete the application in English.
7. Have prepared a two-page CV.
8. Have selected three strong work examples.
9. Have obtained a supporting letter.
10. Have prepared a clear funding statement.
11. Have a credible plan to share knowledge after the conference.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship Application

1. Choose Your Three Strongest Journalism Examples

Do not automatically submit your three newest pieces.

Choose work that shows:

• Strong reporting
• Critical thinking
• Clear communication
• Scientific complexity handled accurately
• Independent journalism
• Public relevance

2. Make Your Motivation Specific to WCSJ2027

Read about the conference theme and consider why a global science journalism network matters to your work.

Explain why this particular conference, rather than any generic journalism event, is important.

3. Demonstrate Community Impact

If you already contribute to:

• Journalism associations
• Training
• Mentorship
• Newsroom development
• Student journalism
• Professional networks

explain this clearly.

It can show that the fellowship’s impact will extend beyond you.

4. Be Concrete About Knowledge Sharing

Instead of saying:

“I will share what I learn with colleagues,”

describe exactly how.

For example:

• A newsroom workshop
• Regional webinar
• Training session
• Professional association briefing
• Journalism article
• Mentoring programme

5. Be Transparent About Financial Need

The fellowship exists specifically to improve access.

Explain the financial barriers honestly.

If you have partial support, mention it and explain what gap remains.

6. Explain What You Bring to the Global Community

Your professional background, geography, language, expertise, or reporting experience may provide insights others do not have.

Explain that contribution confidently and specifically.

7. Do Not Ignore Travel Readiness

Passport and visa readiness are important.

Make sure you can realistically travel to London in September 2027 if selected.

Why the WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship Matters

Major international conferences can shape careers by giving journalists access to:

• New reporting methods
• Professional networks
• Mentors
• Editors
• Collaborators
• Training opportunities
• International perspectives

Yet access to these conferences remains unequal.

Journalists in countries or institutions with limited travel funding may have fewer opportunities to participate in international professional networks despite producing high-quality work.

The WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship seeks to reduce this inequality by supporting people whose professional contribution and potential are strong but whose financial resources are limited.

Conclusion

The WCSJ 2027 Travel Fellowship is an important international opportunity for science journalists, media professionals, journalism students, and eligible researchers or educators who want to participate in the World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 in London but would otherwise be unable to afford the associated costs.

Successful applicants may receive support covering approved travel, visa application costs, limited local transportation, up to six nights of accommodation, full conference registration, refreshments, and official conference lunches.

The fellowship does not provide per diem payments and does not cover personal expenses, travel insurance, health expenses, additional hotel nights, or unrelated local transport.

The opportunity is open internationally and does not impose geographic quotas. Applicants from countries classified by the World Bank as low-income or lower-middle-income will receive additional consideration as part of the programme’s commitment to broader global participation.

Eligible applicants include journalists and media professionals covering science and related subjects, students in journalism and related fields, and researchers or educators with a proven professional journalism track record.

Applicants must submit a two-page CV, professional biography, examples of recent journalistic work, a supporting letter, professional-development responses, a knowledge-sharing plan, and a financial-needs statement.

Applications are assessed through a competitive two-stage international process based on professional merit, science-journalism commitment, motivation, professional contribution, quality of work, knowledge-sharing potential, and financial need.

The application deadline is:

23 October 2026 at 23:59 BST

The conference will take place in London in September 2027 under the theme:

“Strengthening science journalism through global networks.”

To know more information about this opportunity, VISIT HERE.