Sharon Begley Science Reporting Fellowship

STAT, the leading health and science news publication, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are accepting applications for the Sharon Begley Science Reporting Fellowship, which has the goal of diversifying the ranks of science and health journalists and fostering better coverage of science that is relevant to all people. It combines a paid reporting position at STAT with an educational component through MIT’s prestigious Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) program.

The one-year fellowship is intended for early-career U.S. journalists from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in the profession and will prepare them for a successful career in science journalism. We will be hiring one fellow this year, who will start in mid-August 2023 and work through mid-August 2024.

What You’ll Do

Fellows will be based at STAT’s Boston office and report and write articles. At the same time, they will participate in KSJ training seminars and fellowship community events, have access to MIT libraries, and be able to audit classes at MIT and Harvard.

Who You Are

An applicant must be residing in the U.S. and live in, or be willing to relocate to, the Boston area. Applicants must have some previous journalism experience; between six months and five years is desirable. Previous work as a science writer is not required.

We know that there are strong candidates who may not fit precisely into what we’ve described above or who have important skills we haven’t thought of. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Compensation/Benefits

Fellows will be paid $75,000 and receive health insurance through MIT and dental and vision benefits through STAT. They will receive 10 days of vacation and get standard holidays off.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted online from March 22 to May 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET. Please submit:

• A personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing yourself, your goals for the fellowship, and how your background, experiences, and career path influenced your decision to pursue this opportunity.
• A resume.
• Links to 3-5 published articles that showcase your reporting and writing skills.
• A letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with your work who can comment on your abilities, your commitment to journalism, and your suitability for this fellowship.

STAT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We strive to create a culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates all voices. A staff that reflects the world around us makes for better — and more accurate — journalism.