The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship 2027: Paid Remote Science Journalism Program with $6,600 Stipend Open Worldwide

Applications are now open for the 2027 Early-Career Fellowship Program at The Open Notebook (TON), a paid, remote, part-time professional development opportunity designed for emerging science journalists who want to strengthen their reporting, writing, pitching, interviewing, editing, and career-development skills.

The program runs for 12 months, beginning on February 9, 2027, and provides each selected fellow with a $6,600 stipend. Because the fellowship is fully remote and applicants living outside the United States are explicitly welcome to apply, it represents an accessible international opportunity for aspiring and early-career science journalists around the world.

The deadline to submit the main application is October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time. Reference letters have a separate deadline of November 7, 2026.

About The Open Notebook

The Open Notebook is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization focused on strengthening science journalism through practical training, mentoring, educational resources, professional development programs, and a global community of journalists.

The organization describes itself as a leading online source of training and educational material for journalists who cover science. Its broader work focuses particularly on helping reporters improve coverage of subjects involving science, health, the environment, and technology while strengthening evidence-based journalism more generally.

The organization operates with the broader goal of ensuring that journalists, regardless of geography or financial means, can access resources that help them report complex scientific subjects accurately and effectively.

Its activities include online publications, professional-development programs, mentoring initiatives, workshops, master classes, reporting tools, and other resources aimed at journalists at different stages of their careers.

About the 2027 Early-Career Fellowship Program

The Open Notebook’s Early-Career Fellowship is structured specifically for journalists who are still at an early stage in their professional science-writing careers.

Rather than functioning as a conventional course in which participants mainly attend lectures, the program places fellows directly into The Open Notebook’s editorial environment.

During the 12-month period, fellows work with experienced science-journalism mentors to develop ideas, report stories, write articles, respond to editorial feedback, and prepare work for publication.

This makes the fellowship a combination of professional mentoring, hands-on journalism experience, editorial training, and community participation.

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

Key Details of The Open Notebook Fellowship 2027

The dates, stipend, duration, location, and eligibility details above are taken from the current 2027 fellowship announcement.

What Fellows Will Actually Do

The core of the fellowship is practical journalism.

Each selected fellow is expected to report and write four articles, with individual pieces generally running approximately 1,500 to 2,000 words.

The stories are prepared for publication by The Open Notebook and can include formats such as behind-the-story interviews with journalists and reported features examining some aspect of the craft and practice of science journalism.

This is an important distinction for applicants to understand.

The fellowship is not primarily about reporting new scientific discoveries themselves. The Open Notebook specializes in examining how science journalism is practiced: how reporters find stories, conduct interviews, investigate difficult subjects, structure narratives, use evidence, work with editors, handle ethical challenges, and communicate complex subjects.

Applicants should therefore become familiar with TON’s existing publication before proposing story ideas.

Four Published Journalism Assignments

Completing four substantial articles over a year gives fellows time to move through the full editorial process repeatedly.

That process can involve identifying an appropriate story idea, narrowing the angle, locating sources, arranging interviews, reporting the story, drafting the article, responding to editorial feedback, revising the piece, verifying factual claims, and preparing the final article for publication.

For a journalist still developing professional experience, this repeated cycle can be especially valuable because the learning takes place through actual editorial work rather than hypothetical exercises.

Four articles over 12 months may initially appear modest. However, applicants should recognize that these are not quick news items. They involve substantial reporting, multiple revisions, fact-checking preparation, and collaboration with mentors and editors.

One-to-One Mentorship with an Experienced Science Journalist

A major component of the program is individualized mentorship.

Each fellow is paired with an experienced science journalist and participates in regular phone or video meetings.

The mentor helps the fellow develop story ideas, strengthen reporting techniques, improve drafts, navigate revisions, and think through broader questions about building a career in science journalism.

This mentoring structure means participants receive sustained professional guidance rather than a single workshop or short training intervention.

For early-career journalists, regular access to someone who has already navigated the profession can help clarify issues such as story development, pitching, interviewing, freelancing, editorial relationships, specialization, professional positioning, and long-term career choices.

Become Part of The Open Notebook Editorial Community

Fellows also become part of the wider TON editorial community.

The program includes interaction with current and former fellows, mentors, and editors through a dedicated Slack community.

Fellows participate in cohort-oriented discussions and activities during the program, and membership in this community continues after the fellowship concludes.

This continuing community component is significant because journalism careers frequently depend not only on technical competence but also on professional networks, peer learning, editor relationships, knowledge sharing, and access to trusted colleagues.

The program therefore aims to build both skills and professional connections.

How Much Time Does the Fellowship Require?

The fellowship is officially part-time.

The Open Notebook estimates that most fellows spend approximately 5 to 7 hours per week on average completing fellowship responsibilities. The actual workload can vary depending on the fellow’s experience, work habits, and where a particular story stands in the reporting and editing process.

Some weeks can therefore require considerably more effort than others.

Applicants should not interpret “part-time” as meaning the fellowship can be completed casually whenever spare time becomes available.

The program has real publication deadlines and an intensive editorial process.

Activities Applicants Should Be Prepared to Fit Into Their Schedule

Although the precise weekly workload changes during the year, fellows need sufficient flexibility for several kinds of professional activity.

These include interviewing sources, frequently during normal U.S. daytime hours; holding weekly phone or video conversations with mentors; undertaking multiple rounds of revisions; preparing stories for fact-checking; and participating in fellowship discussions and activities through Slack.

International applicants should pay particular attention to the U.S. daytime interview requirement.

Someone applying from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, or Oceania should consider the time difference and whether their work, studies, family commitments, or other responsibilities will allow sufficient flexibility.

Who Is the Fellowship Designed For?

The program is intended for early-career science journalists and aspiring science journalists.

One of the most important eligibility rules is that applicants generally need to have fewer than three years of regular professional science-writing experience.

However, TON makes two important clarifications.

First, internships and student work do not count toward this three-year limit.

Second, exceptions may be considered where an applicant has more than three years of professional science-writing experience but some or all of that experience was conducted in a language other than English.

This provides some flexibility for journalists whose careers developed outside English-language journalism.

You Do Not Need Extensive Experience

Applicants do need some prior exposure to writing for general audiences, but The Open Notebook does not require extensive professional experience.

Some training and/or experience writing about science for the general public is required.

This means the program falls between an absolute beginner opportunity and a mid-career professional fellowship.

An applicant should already be able to demonstrate that they have begun developing relevant skills, but they do not need a long professional publication record.

Experience could potentially come from student journalism, internships, independent reporting, freelance work, journalism training, or another setting that has enabled the applicant to produce public-facing writing.

The decisive issue is whether the applicant can demonstrate an authentic and developing commitment to professional science journalism.

The Fellowship Is for Journalism, Not General Science Communication

Applicants should pay close attention to this distinction.

The Open Notebook gives priority to people whose primary professional ambition is to work as science journalists.

Science journalism and science communication can overlap, but they are not identical.

Science journalists generally report independently for public audiences, interrogate evidence, interview multiple sources, examine uncertainty and disagreement, investigate institutions, and apply journalistic standards of verification and editorial independence.

Science communicators may instead work for research institutions, universities, companies, scientific organizations, government agencies, museums, nonprofits, or individual researchers to communicate science on behalf of those organizations.

Applicants whose main goal is journalism should therefore explain that clearly in their application.

No Specific University Degree Is Listed

The official 2027 eligibility criteria do not state that applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctorate, journalism degree, or science degree.

The emphasis is instead on experience, training, demonstrated writing ability, career stage, and commitment to professional science journalism.

This means candidates should not automatically exclude themselves because they do not hold a specialized journalism qualification.

What matters more is whether their work demonstrates the potential to develop as a science journalist.

International Applicants Can Apply

One of the strongest accessibility features of the fellowship is its global eligibility.

The Open Notebook explicitly states that people living outside the United States are welcome to apply.

Since the fellowship is remote, selected participants can ordinarily complete it from their existing country of residence.

The current call does not provide a restricted list of eligible nationalities.

This makes the program relevant to emerging journalists across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Oceania, provided they meet the fellowship’s other eligibility and language requirements.

English-Language Requirements

All application materials must be submitted in English.

This includes writing samples and the reference letter.

However, applicants are allowed to provide materials that were originally produced in another language and then translated into English.

The program also recognizes that applicants for whom English is not a first language should not necessarily be expected to write with the same fluency as native English speakers.

Nevertheless, successful participation requires a reasonably strong level of English because fellows must interview sources, write substantial articles, communicate with mentors and editors, and complete multiple rounds of revision in English.

What The Open Notebook Looks for When Selecting Fellows

TON’s published selection criteria emphasize several qualities.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a serious intention to pursue professional science journalism, some prior experience or training in public-facing science writing, an understanding of the profession and its challenges, familiarity with The Open Notebook, the ability to produce appropriate story ideas, reliability with deadlines, and strong writing ability.

In practical terms, a strong application should demonstrate more than enthusiasm.

It should show that the applicant understands what science journalists actually do, understands the type of journalism TON publishes, can identify worthwhile stories, and has thought carefully about the specific skills they want to develop.

Why Familiarity with The Open Notebook Matters

Applicants are expected to propose stories specifically for TON.

Before applying, candidates should therefore spend meaningful time reading the publication.

A generic science pitch is unlikely to demonstrate strong understanding of the fellowship.

The Open Notebook focuses on the craft of science journalism, so applicants should think about questions such as how journalists report difficult topics, manage ethical challenges, build source networks, use data, cover marginalized communities, investigate scientific institutions, explain uncertainty, structure complex features, or develop sustainable journalism careers.

A good proposal should feel naturally suited to TON rather than like an idea that could be sent unchanged to any science publication.

Application Questions

The application asks candidates to explain why they are interested in the fellowship, what they hope to learn, what previous training or experience they have writing science stories for public audiences, what skills or perspectives they would contribute, and what other commitments they expect to have during the fellowship year.

That final question is especially important.

Because the program requires sustained work over 12 months, applicants should provide a realistic account of how they will balance the fellowship with university study, dissertation work, freelancing, employment, job searching, caregiving, or other responsibilities.

Applicants should avoid creating an unrealistic impression that they have unlimited availability if they do not.

Two Story Proposals Are Required

Applicants must submit two brief story proposals, each approximately 100 words.

These proposals should describe possible TON features or multimedia stories and could take forms such as behind-the-story interviews, reported features about the craft of science writing, roundtable discussions, or another substantial project related to science-journalism practice.

These are intentionally short proposals rather than complete, fully developed pitches.

The challenge is therefore to demonstrate a strong idea efficiently.

A useful 100-word proposal should establish the central question, explain why it matters to science journalists, identify the likely approach or sources, and demonstrate why TON is the right publication for the story.

Resume or CV

Applicants must also provide a resume or curriculum vitae.

For an early-career journalist, the document should focus on relevant professional experience rather than attempting to appear artificially senior.

Relevant information can include journalism employment, freelance assignments, internships, university journalism, publications, fellowships, training programs, multimedia work, scientific expertise, language abilities, awards, and other experiences that help demonstrate suitability.

Where possible, applicants should make it easy for reviewers to understand the relationship between their background and science journalism.

Reference Letter

One reference letter is required.

The referee can be a professor, editor, mentor, supervisor, or another professional colleague who can credibly discuss the applicant’s abilities and characteristics relevant to science journalism and the fellowship.

The best referee is not necessarily the person with the most impressive job title.

An effective referee is someone who knows the applicant’s work sufficiently well to provide detailed observations about qualities such as writing, curiosity, reporting skills, initiative, reliability, openness to editing, ability to meet deadlines, and potential for growth.

The recommendation deadline is November 7, 2026, one week after the main application deadline.

Applicants should therefore contact their referee early rather than waiting until the final application week.

Writing or Multimedia Samples

Applicants may submit up to two writing or multimedia samples intended for general audiences.

Scientific papers and conventional academic writing are not appropriate substitutes because TON wants to evaluate the applicant’s ability to communicate with the public.

Applicants submitting audio or multimedia work can provide relevant links within an uploaded PDF.

Samples must be in English, although translated work is acceptable.

When choosing samples, candidates should prioritize work that demonstrates journalism skills rather than simply selecting the longest or most technically sophisticated material they have produced.

A strong sample might show clear reporting, effective interviewing, accurate explanation of complex information, narrative skill, evidence-based reasoning, or a strong sense of audience.

Optional Background Information

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

The Open Notebook says it strongly encourages writers from all backgrounds to apply and specifically invites applicants from communities historically marginalized or underrepresented in U.S. journalism to disclose that information if they wish.

Providing such information is completely optional, and TON says information disclosed through this section will be treated confidentially.

Applicants therefore do not need to identify themselves as belonging to any particular demographic group in order to apply.

$6,600 Fellowship Stipend

The 2027 fellowship provides a total stipend of $6,600.

Because the fellowship lasts 12 months and requires an estimated five to seven hours per week on average, candidates should view it as a paid professional-development fellowship rather than full-time employment.

The principal value of the opportunity combines financial support with mentoring, published work, editorial experience, structured skill development, and long-term professional community access.

Applicants should make their own assessment of whether the stipend and professional benefits are appropriate for the time commitment involved.

Fellowship Start Date and Duration

The 2027 fellowship begins on:

February 9, 2027

It continues for:

12 months on a part-time basis

The program is conducted remotely.

Prospective applicants should therefore consider their anticipated commitments throughout most of 2027 and into early 2028 rather than evaluating availability only around the February start date.

Main Application Deadline

The principal deadline is:

October 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time

The separate reference-letter deadline is:

November 7, 2026.

International applicants should convert the deadline carefully into their own local time zone rather than assuming that October 31 ends at midnight in their country.

Submitting well before the deadline also reduces the risk of technical problems with document uploads or the application form.

How to Build a Strong Application

A competitive application should show a coherent professional story.

The application components should reinforce one another: the resume should establish relevant experience, the samples should demonstrate ability, the story ideas should show editorial judgment, the written responses should explain motivation and learning goals, and the recommendation should provide independent evidence of the applicant’s potential.

Applicants should avoid approaching each document as an isolated requirement.

For example, someone transitioning from science research into journalism could use the application to explain how scientific expertise has shaped their reporting interests while making clear that their long-term ambition is journalism rather than institutional science communication.

Likewise, someone already freelancing could demonstrate how the fellowship would help them move from short assignments into deeper reported features.

How to Approach the Two 100-Word Story Ideas

The short length makes precision essential.

Start with a specific challenge or question facing science journalists. Then explain why it matters and how the story would investigate it.

Avoid proposing a broad subject such as “how journalists cover climate change.” That topic is too large.

A stronger proposal would isolate a particular reporting problem, practice, ethical dilemma, technique, or emerging challenge and show how interviews with specific kinds of journalists or editors could produce practical insight.

The objective is not simply to select an interesting science subject. It is to identify an interesting science-journalism craft question.

Choosing the Best Writing Samples

Your strongest academic paper is not necessarily your strongest fellowship sample.

The fellowship asks for work intended for a general audience because public-facing journalism requires different skills from scholarly writing.

Select pieces that show that you can make complex subjects understandable without distorting them.

Where possible, choose work that demonstrates reporting rather than pure commentary.

If your strongest material was originally produced in another language, the explicit permission to submit translated samples can make the fellowship particularly accessible to international journalists.

How International Applicants Can Prepare

International applicants should consider several logistical factors even though the program is remote.

Time-zone differences matter because source interviews may need to occur during U.S. daytime hours, and mentor meetings will need mutually workable schedules.

Applicants should also evaluate English-language readiness realistically.

Perfect English is not required, but fellows must be capable of participating in professional editorial discussions, interviewing sources, understanding detailed feedback, and revising substantial articles.

Applicants should treat their geographic perspective as a potential professional asset rather than a disadvantage. Science journalism is global, and reporters working outside major U.S. media centers can bring knowledge of different scientific institutions, communities, reporting environments, languages, and public-health or environmental contexts.

Why This Opportunity Matters for Emerging Science Journalists

Formal pathways into science journalism can be difficult to access, particularly for journalists outside established media centers.

The Open Notebook itself identifies inequitable access to journalism training as an important problem and says its mission includes making professional-development resources available across geography and financial circumstances.

A remote, paid fellowship can help reduce some of those barriers by removing the requirement to relocate to an expensive media hub.

The fellowship also creates something that online courses generally cannot provide: sustained editorial accountability.

Fellows must produce work, meet deadlines, receive professional editing, revise repeatedly, communicate with mentors, and participate in a working journalistic community.

That combination can turn abstract lessons about journalism into habits built through practice.

About the Fellowship’s Track Record

The Open Notebook has operated its early-career fellowship for more than a decade, with listed fellows going back to 2014 and the current roster extending through 2026.

Past fellows have produced articles exploring practical journalism topics including field reporting, disability reporting, reporting during conflict, vaccine hesitancy, sourcing, audio journalism, freelance careers, pitching behavior, internships, investigative reporting, and other elements of the profession.

This history demonstrates that the program is built around practical questions faced by working journalists rather than only theoretical discussion.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through The Open Notebook’s online application form.

Apply for The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship 2027

Applicants should prepare the required responses, two short story proposals, resume or CV, reference arrangements, and up to two qualifying work samples before completing the form.

The official fellowship page should remain the controlling source for requirements or updates:

Official Early-Career Fellowship Program page

Questions that are not already addressed in the program instructions can be sent to editors@theopennotebook.com.

Conclusion

The The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship 2027 offers emerging science journalists an opportunity to spend a full year developing professional reporting and writing skills through real editorial assignments, individualized mentorship, publication experience, and participation in an international journalism community.

The fellowship is particularly accessible because it is fully remote, accepts applicants from outside the United States, does not state a specific university-degree requirement, and allows translated English-language samples from journalists whose previous work was produced in another language.

Selected fellows will receive a $6,600 stipend, work part-time for 12 months beginning February 9, 2027, and complete four substantial articles while working closely with experienced science-journalism mentors. Applicants should nevertheless take the workload seriously: the program estimates an average commitment of roughly five to seven hours per week and expects fellows to meet professional reporting, editing, and revision deadlines.

The main application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time on October 31, 2026, while reference letters are due November 7, 2026.

For more global opportunities, click HERE