WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship in London

The WCSJ2027 Travel Fellowship is designed to reduce financial barriers for journalists and other eligible applicants who would otherwise be unable to attend the World Conference of Science Journalists 2027 in London.

The 14th World Conference of Science Journalists will bring together science journalists and media professionals from around the world under the theme “Strengthening science journalism through global networks.”

The conference is hosted by the Association of British Science Writers and the World Federation of Science Journalists and will take place in London in September 2027.

Travel Fellows can participate in professional-development activities, networking, discussions on journalism and science, and opportunities to exchange experience with professionals from different countries.

The fellowship particularly focuses on applicants with limited access to institutional or organisational funding. Financial need is therefore an important part of the application and selection process.

Applicants must demonstrate their professional or academic connection to journalism, provide examples of their work and explain both what they hope to gain from WCSJ2027 and what they can contribute to the wider conference community.

Although the public conference dates are 6–9 September 2027, the Travel Fellowship application requires successful fellows to be available from 6–10 September 2027.

• Applicants should have a relevant connection to journalism, science journalism, science communication, media studies or a related field.
• Journalists may include staff or freelance professionals.
• Journalism may be the applicant's primary or secondary professional activity.
• Students in journalism, science journalism, media studies, science communication or related areas may apply.
• Eligible researchers or educators should demonstrate relevant journalism/media experience where applicable.
• Applicants must be available for the full fellowship attendance period from 6–10 September 2027.
• Applicants must have a passport valid until at least the end of September 2027, or be in the process of applying for or renewing a passport.
• Applicants must check whether they require a UK Standard Visitor visa.
• Applicants need sufficient English proficiency to benefit from the conference.
• Application information and supporting documents submitted on behalf of the applicant must be in English.
• Applicants should demonstrate limited access to funding and explain why they would be unable to attend without additional financial support.
• Applicants must submit the required professional work examples and supporting materials.

Selected Travel Fellows receive support towards:

• Air, rail, coach or bus travel to and from London.
• UK visa application costs.
• Limited local transport connected with conference participation.
• Up to six nights of accommodation.
• Full WCSJ2027 conference registration.
• Refreshments included in the conference programme.
• Lunches included in the conference programme.
• Reception catering included as part of the official conference programme.
• Access to international networking and professional-development activities.
• Participation in the World Conference of Science Journalists.

• CV or résumé in PDF format, maximum 2 pages.
• Brief professional biography of approximately 150–300 words.
• Three examples of professional work.
• Work samples should normally have been published within the previous two years.
• Students without enough published material may submit supervised long-form coursework with confirmation from the supervising teacher.
• English translations or transcripts for work originally produced in another language.
• Supporting letter from an employer, educational department head, regular editor or relevant professional association.
• Motivation statement of up to 500 words.
• Statement explaining how the applicant will share what they learn after WCSJ2027, up to 150 words.
• Funding statement of up to 150 words.
• Passport details/image where applicable.
• Information about employer, educational institution or professional affiliation.
• Current professional role and journalism experience.

Applications are competitive and are assessed on factors including:

• Commitment to science journalism and the journalism profession.
• Relevant professional experience and engagement.
• Professional development and involvement in the journalism community.
• Motivation for attending WCSJ2027.
• Potential professional benefit from attending.
• Expertise and perspectives the applicant can contribute.
• Plans for sharing knowledge gained after the conference.
• Quality of the submitted work examples.
• Financial need and access to other sources of funding.
• Overall contribution to a diverse and internationally representative fellowship cohort.

Applicants are also expected to support principles of accurate, fair, transparent and editorially independent science journalism.

• Attend one of the major international gatherings for science journalism.
• Build connections with journalists and media professionals worldwide.
• Develop science-reporting and journalism skills.
• Exchange ideas with professionals from different media environments.
• Gain exposure to international science and journalism discussions.
• Access professional-development sessions and networking opportunities.
• Share experience from your own country or region.
• Strengthen international journalism networks.
• Reduce the financial barriers associated with attending an international conference.