National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF)

Q: When is the deadline for National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF)?

This grant has a rolling deadline or the deadline has not been announced.

COUNCIL FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE WRITING INC

Foundation Annual Grants for Journalism

Funding Amount

US $2,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF)

Focus: Year-long cross-disciplinary fellowships supporting early-career journalists covering science, health, and/or environment topics while remaining in their current positions.

Geographic Scope: United States

Eligibility:

Early-career journalists (2-10 years professional reporting experience)

Staff journalists

Freelance journalists

Interest in covering science, health, environment, or any combination of these fields

Journalists from diverse backgrounds particularly encouraged

Award Details:

Structure: Year-long fellowship (pilot cohort started July 2021)

Amount: Not specified; includes independent journalist project support stipends

Type: Practical training program allowing journalists to stay in current jobs while participating

Program Components:

Workshops and professional development

Multi-day field trips

Reporting bootcamp (University of Missouri campus)

Webinars

Access to annual conferences of partner organizations

Mentorship matching with professional mentors

Online networking platform

Resource access and story ideas

New sources and networking opportunities

Organizational Partners:

CASW (Council for the Advancement of Science Writing)

AHCJ (Association of Health Care Journalists)

SEJ (Society of Environmental Journalists)

Funders:

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Department of Science Education

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

Program Objectives:

Enable rigorous reporting on complex science/health/environment topics

Increase equity and diversity in these journalism areas

Provide practical training alternative to academic programs

Support fact-based journalism in communities across the US

Enable journalists to pursue specialized reporting despite challenging media economy

Pilot Details:

12 fellowships provided in pilot year (2021-22)

Modeled on AHCJ Regional Reporting Fellowship Program (117 reporters graduated since 2011)

Activities coordinated by AHCJ staff with CASW and SEJ collaboration

Contact: CASW, PO Box 17337, Seattle, WA 98127

How to Apply

Application Process

Open to early-career journalists with 2-10 years professional experience
Application should demonstrate:

Selection process competitive
Fellows announced prior to program start
Participation requires commitment to year-long activities and online networking platform