A major opportunity has opened for science journalists worldwide as the Knight Science Journalism (KSJ) Program at MIT begins accepting applications for its Academic-Year Fellowship for the 2026–2027 cohort. This highly competitive program is one of the world’s most prestigious journalism fellowships, offering a full academic year of study, professional development, and research at MIT—one of the global centers of scientific innovation.
This article provides a complete overview of the fellowship’s offerings, benefits, eligibility requirements, application materials, and deadlines to help prospective applicants prepare strong submissions for this globally respected program.
A Nine-Month Fellowship at the Heart of Innovation
Each year, KSJ selects 10 accomplished science journalists from around the world and embeds them in the MIT community for nine months. Fellows spend this time exploring scientific fields, sharpening their reporting craft, auditing courses across Boston’s leading universities, and pursuing a long-form journalistic research project.
This fellowship is designed not only to develop advanced reporting skills but also to give journalists access to cutting-edge scientific environments where discoveries are made every day.
MIT-KSJ Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows for KSJ fellowship at receive a generous support package for the full academic year:
- $85,000 stipend paid over 9.5 months
- Travel and housing stipend paid near the start of the fellowship
- Basic health insurance for fellows and their families
- Access to MIT resources, libraries, seminars, labs, and faculty
- Opportunities to collaborate with leading journalists worldwide
The fellowship ensures that participants can fully immerse themselves in learning without financial constraints.
Pursue a High-Impact Journalism Project
A central component of the fellowship is an individual research project that takes advantage of MIT’s resources, faculty expertise, and local research institutions. Projects may include:
- Reporting for a long-form feature, investigative piece, or story series
- Developing multimedia, interactive, video, or podcast journalism
- Preparing research and reporting for a book proposal
- Building expertise in a new scientific domain
- Exploring innovative forms of storytelling driven by technology
Fellows meet regularly with KSJ leadership to monitor progress. The year concludes with formal project presentations, many of which later become published works.
World-Class Learning Opportunities Part of Fellowship
The fellowship blends structured programming with self-directed academic exploration:
Seminars: Regular sessions feature leading scientists, technologists, and media experts who share new research, reporting insights, and emerging issues in science communication.
Field Trips: KSJ organizes trips to renowned scientific and environmental research sites such as:
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Marine Biological Laboratory
- Jackson Laboratory in Maine
- Harvard Forest
These immersive visits extend learning beyond the classroom.
Skill-Building Workshops: Journalists gain hands-on training in areas such as:
- Mobile and digital video production
- Podcasting and audio storytelling
- Data journalism and visualization
- Digital editing
- Photography and multimedia reporting
Course Auditing: Fellows can audit classes at MIT, Harvard, and other nearby institutions. The academic freedom is vast—only one science course per semester is required.
Community and Collaboration: Social activities, cohort gatherings, and collaborative engagements foster a strong support network that extends beyond the fellowship year.
Eligibility Requirements for the 2026–2027 Fellowship
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be full-time journalists, either staff or freelance (part-time work is not eligible)
- Have at least three consecutive years of experience covering science, health, technology, or the environment
- Work professionally as a: Writer, Photographer, Editor, Reporter, Producer, Illustrator, Filmmaker, Videographer
- Have not completed a four-month or longer fellowship in the preceding two years
- Demonstrate professionalism, excellence, and long-term commitment to science journalism
International Applicants
Journalists from all countries are encouraged to apply. Selected international fellows must obtain:
- J-1 visa (Fellow)
- J-2 visas (Dependents)
English proficiency will be verified during the application process or through optional test scores (IELTS, TOEFL).
Apply: https://ksj.mit.edu/fellowships/academic-year-fellowship/
Application Timeline for the 2026-2027 Fellowship
Applications for the 2026–2027 Knight Science Journalism Academic-Year Fellowship opened on November 15, 2025 and will close on January 9, 2026. After the deadline, applications will be reviewed by a panel of distinguished science journalists. Semifinalists will be invited to interviews in early March, and the final selection of ten fellows is expected to be announced in April 2026.