AAAS Fellows Program
This highly competitive program strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists by placing advanced undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level science, engineering and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows have worked as reporters, editors, researchers, and production assistants at such media outlets as the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, Philadelphia Inquirer, WIRED, and Scientific American. The AAAS Fellows use their academic training in the sciences as they research, write and report today's headlines, sharpening their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to non-specialists. Participants come in knowing the importance of translating their work for the public, but they leave with the tools and the know-how to accomplish this important goal.
For 10 weeks during the summer, the AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows collaborate with media professionals at radio and television stations, newspapers, and magazines. As part of their job, the student-scientists and their host-journalists strive to make science news easy for the public to understand. The fellowship program is designed to enhance coverage of science-related issues in the media in order to improve public understanding and appreciation of science and technology. Fellows have the opportunity to observe and participate in the process by which events and ideas become news, improve their communication skills by learning to describe complex technical subjects in a manner understandable to the lay public, and increase their understanding of editorial decision making and the way in which information is effectively disseminated. In its 42 year history, the program has supported over 670 Fellows.
Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled as students (upper level undergraduate or graduate) or postdoctoral trainees at a university — or within one year of a completed degree — in the life, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences or mathematics and related fields. If you have questions about your eligibility, email rcorlew@aaas.org.
- Students enrolled in English, journalism, science journalism, or other non-technical fields are not eligible for the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship BUT these students may be eligible for the Minority Science Writers Internship.
- Applicants must be US citizens or already hold visas that allow them to receive payment for work during the summer. AAAS cannot assist in obtaining/retaining visas.
- Successful applicants are required to attend an orientation at AAAS headquarters at the beginning of the summer (early June) and a wrap-up session at the end of the summer (mid-August). They will prepare reports on the progress of their fellowships throughout their placement.
The Fellowship is open to international students who are already studying in the United States and who hold visas that allow them to receive payment for work during the summer. AAAS cannot assist in obtaining/retaining visas. The Fellowship is also open to US citizens studying abroad, as long as they can pay their way back into the US for the Fellowship.
Award
AAAS typically selects from 15-20 Mass Media Fellows each summer. Fellows are provided a weekly stipend of $500 as well as travel expenses to and from AAAS and their sites. AAAS does not provide housing or an additional housing stipend.
2017 Dates:
June 7, 2017 – August 22, 2017
Orientation in DC: June 7-9
Dates onsite: June 12 - August 18
Wrap-up in DC: August 21-22
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.aaas.org/page/about-1