AAAS Mass Media Fellowship 2027

The AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship 2027 is a competitive summer programme organised by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), a leading international scientific organisation.

The fellowship is designed to help scientists, engineers and mathematicians develop professional science communication and journalism skills.

Through this programme, selected fellows spend approximately 10 weeks working with media professionals at newspapers, magazines, radio stations and other journalism organisations across the United States.

Fellows use their academic and technical backgrounds to research scientific developments, write news stories, interview experts and explain complex scientific information to general audiences.

Previous participating media organisations have included National Public Radio (NPR), the Los Angeles Times, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Inside Climate News.

The programme aims to improve public understanding of science while strengthening the relationship between researchers and journalists.

Participants gain first-hand experience of how scientific information is transformed into accurate, accessible and engaging news coverage.

The fellowship also includes an orientation and a concluding session in Washington, DC.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled as an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student, or be undertaking postdoctoral training.
• Alternatively, apply within one year of completing an eligible degree or postdoctoral programme.
• Have an academic background in life sciences, physical sciences, health sciences, engineering, computer sciences, behavioural or social sciences, mathematics or related eligible fields.
• Be a US citizen or already hold a visa permitting payment for summer work in the United States.
• Be available to complete the summer fellowship placement.
• Attend the required AAAS orientation and concluding session.
• Complete progress reports during the fellowship.

Additional Academic Clarification

Students enrolled in English, journalism or other non-technical communication programmes are generally not eligible.

However, students studying science journalism may qualify if they also possess a STEM degree.

Selected fellows receive:

• $10,000 Stipend: A stipend for the summer fellowship period.
• Travel Expenses: Covered travel to and from AAAS and fellowship placement locations.
• Professional Journalism Experience: Approximately 10 weeks working directly with media professionals.
• Science Communication Training: Practical experience translating scientific research into accessible public information.
• Professional Networking: Opportunities to build relationships with journalists, editors, researchers and science communicators.
• Orientation Programme: Participation in the opening fellowship activities at AAAS in Washington, DC.
• Career Development: Experience that may support future careers in science communication, journalism, research outreach and public engagement.

Applicants must complete an online application containing the following:

• Applicant Information: Personal, contact and academic background details.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV): Uploaded as a PDF, with a maximum length of five pages.
• Candidate Questions: Responses to reflective questions about research experience, motivation, science communication activities and future goals. Most responses are limited to 250 words.
• General Writing Sample: A piece of up to 1,000 words intended for a non-scientific audience. Technical journal articles are not accepted.
• Sample News Story: A science news article of up to 750 words based on recent primary scientific literature.
• Source Research Article: The scientific journal article used to prepare the sample news story, including its publication date.
• Artificial Intelligence Agreement: Confirmation that prohibited AI-generated material has not been used in the submission.
• Demographic Information: As requested in the official application.

Optional Supporting Materials

Applicants may submit up to four additional supporting materials, such as published writing samples, media work or recommendation letters.

Important Conditions for the News Story

The original research paper must have been published on or after 1 July 2026.

It must be primary scientific literature rather than an article from a newspaper, magazine or popular media publication.

Applicants cannot use a research paper on which they are named as an author, co-author, contributor or cited participant.

According to the organisers, applications are reviewed by experts in:

• Scientific disciplines and research.
• Public engagement and science communication.
• Journalism and media.

The submitted writing samples, responses and supporting materials form part of the assessment.

AAAS staff make final selection decisions and coordinate placements with funding organisations and media hosts.

Telephone or virtual interviews are generally conducted for semi-finalists in March or early April.

• Real newsroom experience: Work alongside professional journalists covering current scientific developments.
• Career exploration: Discover how scientific training can be applied to journalism and public communication.
• Writing development: Improve the ability to explain technical information clearly and accurately.
• Professional connections: Build relationships with media organisations and science communication specialists.
• Public engagement: Contribute to making research accessible to wider audiences.
• Interdisciplinary experience: Gain exposure to professional environments outside traditional academic research.