2026 The Open Notebook (TON) Early-Career Fellowship for Science Journalists

If you’re an early-career science journalist (or aspiring to become one), the 2026 The Open Notebook (TON) Early-Career Fellowship can be a transformative opportunity. Applications are now open — and this fellowship offers mentorship, publishing experience, a stipend, and access to a global community of science-writing peers. Here's everything you need to know.

📌 Fellowship Summary

• Location: Remote (fully virtual)

• Institution: The Open Notebook (TON), supported by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund

• Activity Level: Fellowship (part-time, nondegree)

• Target Group: Early-career science journalists (fewer than three years of regular professional science writing experience)

• Fields of Focus: Science journalism; craft of writing about science for general audiences; “stories about stories,” interviews, reported features on science journalism topics

• Stipend: US $6,600 for the full 12 months

• Duration: 12 months, part-time commitment

• Start Date: February 23, 2026

• Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 (11:59 p.m. U.S. Central Time)

  
  

📚 Fellowship Overview

What Fellows Do?

• Fellows propose, report, and write four articles (each about 1,500–2,000 words) for publication at The Open Notebook. These may include “story behind the story” interviews or reported features on issues related to science journalism.

• Each fellow will have a weekly meeting (phone or video) with a mentor (an experienced science journalist) to refine story ideas, get feedback during reporting and writing, and receive guidance on the craft and career development.

• Fellows, mentors, and TON editors engage via a Slack community, where cohort-based activities and editorial discussions are held. The community remains active even after the fellowship concludes.

• The fellowship is part-time, estimated at 5–7 hours per week on average, though some weeks may require more time (e.g. during reporting or drafting phases).

• Fellows are expected to meet deadlines, respond promptly to editing cycles, annotate their stories for fact-checking, schedule interviews (often during U.S. daytime hours), and participate in editorial discussions.

Community & Continuity

• Fellows become part of the TON editorial network and are integrated into the ongoing community of past and present fellows and editors.

• After the fellowship ends, membership in the Slack and professional connections remain, aiding in networking, collaboration, and career support.

🎁 Benefits

• Financial support: A stipend of US $6,600 over the 12-month period (disbursed in installments)

• Mentorship: One-on-one mentorship with an experienced science journalist throughout your fellowship

• Publication experience: Opportunity to publish your work at TON, gain exposure, and build your portfolio in science journalism

• Professional community: A connected cohort of fellows, editors, and mentors for discussion, feedback, and ongoing support

• Skill development: Through rigorous editorial feedback, assignments, and mentorship, fellows sharpen reporting, writing, interviewing, and story-structuring skills

• Career launchpad: Alumni frequently point to TON as a pivotal boost to their journalism trajectory (see testimonials below)

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Here’s a breakdown of what you need to qualify:

1. Early-career science journalist: Fewer than three years of regular professional science writing experience (internships, student roles usually excluded)

2. Writing experience: Some experience writing for general (non-academic) public audiences is required (not necessarily extensive)

3. English proficiency: All application materials must be in English (translations from other languages are acceptable)

4. Global eligibility: Applicants outside the U.S. are welcome to apply

5. Commitment & fit: Strong intention to pursue journalism (rather than other forms of science communication), ability to generate story ideas aligned with TON’s focus, conscientiousness with deadlines, familiarity (or willingness to explore) TON’s content and voice

✍🏻 Application Procedure

To apply, you will submit through the application form:

• Personal statements / responses:

  • Why you are interested in the fellowship and what you hope to learn

  • Your prior experience writing science stories for public audiences

  • Skills, interests, and perspectives you bring

  • Your plans for the fellowship period (e.g. overlapping commitments)

• Two short proposals (≈ 100 words each) for TON-style features or multimedia stories (can be behind-the-scenes, craft-oriented, roundtable, etc.)

• Resume / CV 

• One letter of reference (from professor, editor, mentor, someone who can speak to your writing abilities)

• Up to two writing or multimedia samples aimed at general readers (not academic/scientific papers). These should be in English; translated works are acceptable

• Optional: Additional background (esp. if you belong to underrepresented groups), to provide context to your application (kept confidential)

ℹ️ Letter deadline: Note that the deadline for reference letters is November 7, 2025 — referents must submit their letters by then.

Once submitted, applications are reviewed using selection criteria that include writing quality, story ideas, alignment with TON’s mission, commitment, and capacity to meet deadlines.

If you have questions, you can contact Siri Carpenter (TON’s Executive Director) via siricarpenter@theopennotebook.com

💡 Tips

• Because it’s remote and part-time, time management is crucial. Be realistic about balancing this with other commitments.

• Some interviews will need to be scheduled during U.S. daytime hours, which could mean odd hours depending on your time zone.

• The editorial process is rigorous — expect multiple rounds of revision, fact-checking, annotation, and adherence to deadlines.

• Make sure your story proposals align well with TON’s style (craft, meta-journalism, behind the scenes) and examine TON’s published work for tone and topics for reference.

• Notify your letter writer well in advance of the November 7 letter deadline to allow them time to prepare a strong recommendation.