Find a resource

Search our curated database of articles, guides, training programs, conferences, fellowships, and more.

The text search and filters will all narrow your results at the same time. If you aren’t seeing many results for a search, try clicking “Clear Filters” to see more options.

Find more tips for using this database at the Starter Guide page.

Library

Topic: Getting started
Card View List View
Fellowships & Grants

AAAS Mass Media Fellowships

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

"This 10-week summer program places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows use their academic training as they research, write, and report today’s headlines, sharpening their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to the public." The program typically accepts applications in the fall for a fellowship in the summer of the next year, which includes trainings in Washington, D.C., and placement at a media organization. Upper-level undergrad students, graduate students, and postdocs in science and engineering fields are eligible to apply. For the 2025 program, the deadline to apply is January 1, 2025, and the fellowship will take place June 4-August 19.
Fellowships & Grants

AAAS Mass Media Fellowships

Summary:
"This 10-week summer program places science, engineering, and mathematics students at media organizations nationwide. Fellows use their academic training as they research, write, and report today’s headlines, sharpening their abilities to communicate complex scientific issues to the public." The program typically accepts applications in the fall for a fellowship in the summer of the next year, which includes trainings in Washington, D.C., and placement at a media organization. Upper-level undergrad students, graduate students, and postdocs in science and engineering fields are eligible to apply. For the 2025 program, the deadline to apply is January 1, 2025, and the fellowship will take place June 4-August 19.
Organization:

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Location:

Varies based on placement

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Science Reporting Quick Tips — The Open Notebook & SciLine

SciLine, The Open Notebook

"To cover science well, journalists have to enter the scientific world a bit themselves, by reading research papers, interviewing scientists, and evaluating evidence. Whatever your background, these are concrete skills that any journalist can sharpen. To pave the way, The Open Notebook and SciLine have teamed up to distill key science reporting skills into a series of quick-hit resources for journalists with deadlines to meet." The series includes tip sheets on finding expert scientific sources, finding and including diverse sources, making sense of scientific studies, and stats terms for covering science.
Resource Database / Guide

Science Reporting Quick Tips — The Open Notebook & SciLine

Summary:
"To cover science well, journalists have to enter the scientific world a bit themselves, by reading research papers, interviewing scientists, and evaluating evidence. Whatever your background, these are concrete skills that any journalist can sharpen. To pave the way, The Open Notebook and SciLine have teamed up to distill key science reporting skills into a series of quick-hit resources for journalists with deadlines to meet." The series includes tip sheets on finding expert scientific sources, finding and including diverse sources, making sense of scientific studies, and stats terms for covering science.
Organization:

SciLine, The Open Notebook

Category:
For:
VISIT
Fellowships & Grants

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship

The Open Notebook

"The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. During the course of this fellowship, fellows work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for publication at The Open Notebook and become part of the TON editorial team. This one-year program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests and passions and to sharpen their skills as part of a talented, supportive, diverse community of past and present fellows and mentors. This fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, which has supported this program since 2012." For the 2025 cohort, the remote, part-time fellowship will begin on February 24, 2025, and includes a stipend of $6,600. Applications are due October 31, 2024.
Fellowships & Grants

The Open Notebook Early-Career Fellowship

Summary:
"The Open Notebook offers a paid, part-time fellowship program for early-career science journalists. During the course of this fellowship, fellows work with a mentor to plan, report, and write articles for publication at The Open Notebook and become part of the TON editorial team. This one-year program offers fellows the opportunity to explore their career interests and passions and to sharpen their skills as part of a talented, supportive, diverse community of past and present fellows and mentors. This fellowship is made possible through the generous support of the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, which has supported this program since 2012." For the 2025 cohort, the remote, part-time fellowship will begin on February 24, 2025, and includes a stipend of $6,600. Applications are due October 31, 2024.
Organization:

The Open Notebook

Category:
For:
VISIT
Workshop

EurekAlert! webinars for journalists

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

EurekAlert!, the science press release service from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is offering a new webinar series for students and early-career science journalists to help these EurekAlert! members make the most of the service. The first webinar, focused on embargoes, took place on August 30 and will repeat monthly after that.
Workshop

EurekAlert! webinars for journalists

Summary:
EurekAlert!, the science press release service from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is offering a new webinar series for students and early-career science journalists to help these EurekAlert! members make the most of the service. The first webinar, focused on embargoes, took place on August 30 and will repeat monthly after that.
Organization:

EurekAlert!, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Dates:

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Science journalism internships for early career scientists

"Ever wondered what it’s like to swap a pipette for a pen? Imagine turning yours and other’s discoveries and passion for science into compelling stories that captivate a wider audience. Welcome to the thrilling world of science journalism, where your knack for curiosity and love for storytelling can take you from bench to byline." "I’ve collected a list of internships, mostly three-month or summer positions, that you should consider. If the opportunity doesn’t indicate that it will open for summer 2025, keep the website in your bookmarks in case the program runs every two years."
Article

Science journalism internships for early career scientists

Summary:
"Ever wondered what it’s like to swap a pipette for a pen? Imagine turning yours and other’s discoveries and passion for science into compelling stories that captivate a wider audience. Welcome to the thrilling world of science journalism, where your knack for curiosity and love for storytelling can take you from bench to byline." "I’ve collected a list of internships, mostly three-month or summer positions, that you should consider. If the opportunity doesn’t indicate that it will open for summer 2025, keep the website in your bookmarks in case the program runs every two years."
Author:

Inayah Entzminger

Published By:

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)

Date:

July 26, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to build a science writing portfolio when you have no experience

"Putting a portfolio together is not complicated once you have a few assignments under your belt. But it's a different story for newbies, and I can't count how many first-time writers have asked me how they can get a portfolio when no one will give them a chance to start." In this article, communicator Joachim Eeckhout shares recommendations for building a portfolio, including creating a blog, guest posting, and using social media.
Article

How to build a science writing portfolio when you have no experience

Summary:
"Putting a portfolio together is not complicated once you have a few assignments under your belt. But it's a different story for newbies, and I can't count how many first-time writers have asked me how they can get a portfolio when no one will give them a chance to start." In this article, communicator Joachim Eeckhout shares recommendations for building a portfolio, including creating a blog, guest posting, and using social media.
Author:

Joachim Eeckhout

Published By:

The Science Marketer

Date:

May 27, 2024

Category:
For:
VISIT
Video

SciCommers Mentor Chat Series

Boston University

SciCommers is a free network for scientists and engineers to improve their science communication skills and connect with science writing opportunities, hosted by Boston University. In the network's monthly Mentor Chats, communication experts video-chat with SciCommers about topics including how to start a podcast, science outreach, freelance science writing, and more. Past Mentor Chats are posted on the SciCommers YouTube channel.
Video

SciCommers Mentor Chat Series

Summary:
SciCommers is a free network for scientists and engineers to improve their science communication skills and connect with science writing opportunities, hosted by Boston University. In the network's monthly Mentor Chats, communication experts video-chat with SciCommers about topics including how to start a podcast, science outreach, freelance science writing, and more. Past Mentor Chats are posted on the SciCommers YouTube channel.
Organization:

Boston University

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to pitch to a science editor

"Successfully pitching a story to a science editor requires a wide range of skills, from researching their outlet to communicating with them in a professional way. In this practical guide, we have compiled advice from six different science editors with extensive experience in commissioning pieces for a number of different outlets including Science, BBC Focus Magazine, New Scientist, the Mail and Guardian and SciDev.Net. Following the advice in this guide will increase the chances of getting your story accepted by an editor."
Article

How to pitch to a science editor

Summary:
"Successfully pitching a story to a science editor requires a wide range of skills, from researching their outlet to communicating with them in a professional way. In this practical guide, we have compiled advice from six different science editors with extensive experience in commissioning pieces for a number of different outlets including Science, BBC Focus Magazine, New Scientist, the Mail and Guardian and SciDev.Net. Following the advice in this guide will increase the chances of getting your story accepted by an editor."
Published By:

SciDev.Net

Date:

September 14, 2015

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to successfully pitch The New York Times (or, well, anyone else)

In this article, Tim Herrera (who was, at the time, Smarter Living editor at the New York Times) explains some common do's and don't's of pitching freelance journalism articles. He writes: "After consulting with about a dozen editors who commission stories at publications ranging from small, niche blogs to national magazines and newspapers, I’ve pulled together the six most common mistakes freelancers make when pitching — and what you can do to impress an editor."
Article

How to successfully pitch The New York Times (or, well, anyone else)

Summary:
In this article, Tim Herrera (who was, at the time, Smarter Living editor at the New York Times) explains some common do's and don't's of pitching freelance journalism articles. He writes: "After consulting with about a dozen editors who commission stories at publications ranging from small, niche blogs to national magazines and newspapers, I’ve pulled together the six most common mistakes freelancers make when pitching — and what you can do to impress an editor."
Author:

Tim Herrera

Published By:

NiemanLab

Date:

October 22, 2018

Category:
For:
VISIT
Academic program

U.S. degree programs in science, health, or environmental writing

The Open Notebook

The Open Notebook has compiled a list of "more than 50 U.S. university-based programs that offer specialized undergraduate or graduate degree programs and/or individual courses (which may be available to undergraduates, graduate students, or both) in science, health, or environmental writing." Some of these programs also appear as independent entries in Connector's library.
Academic program

U.S. degree programs in science, health, or environmental writing

Summary:
The Open Notebook has compiled a list of "more than 50 U.S. university-based programs that offer specialized undergraduate or graduate degree programs and/or individual courses (which may be available to undergraduates, graduate students, or both) in science, health, or environmental writing." Some of these programs also appear as independent entries in Connector's library.
Organization:

The Open Notebook

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Sci Comm Resources — Dan Vahaba

Dan Vahaba is the director of communications at the Duke University Institute for Brain Sciences. He compiled this Google doc full of science writing resources, including articles and books to read, tips about how to pitch, conferences, academic journals, newsletters, and more.
Resource Database / Guide

Sci Comm Resources — Dan Vahaba

Summary:
Dan Vahaba is the director of communications at the Duke University Institute for Brain Sciences. He compiled this Google doc full of science writing resources, including articles and books to read, tips about how to pitch, conferences, academic journals, newsletters, and more.
Author:

Dan Vahaba

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Being a Science Journalist

Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

"So you want to be a science journalist? People arrive at science journalism from all manner of professional backgrounds. Whether you’re a scientist ready for a career change, a journalist interested in specializing in a science-related beat, a student, or a recent graduate, this curated list of resources can help you get started on your journey." Resources include: Breaking In, Learning the Craft, Societies and Conferences, Academic Programs, Internships and Fellowships, Freelancing.
Resource Database / Guide

Being a Science Journalist

Summary:
"So you want to be a science journalist? People arrive at science journalism from all manner of professional backgrounds. Whether you’re a scientist ready for a career change, a journalist interested in specializing in a science-related beat, a student, or a recent graduate, this curated list of resources can help you get started on your journey." Resources include: Breaking In, Learning the Craft, Societies and Conferences, Academic Programs, Internships and Fellowships, Freelancing.
Organization:

Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

SciCommers Community Resources

Boston University

This spreadsheet shares resources and programs from the SciCommers community, a network of undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and industry researchers who are interested in improving their science communication skills. In the database, you can find: links to interviews with expert science writers, a guide to pitching stories, a list of science writing articles, stories by SciCommers, and more.
Resource Database / Guide

SciCommers Community Resources

Summary:
This spreadsheet shares resources and programs from the SciCommers community, a network of undergrads, graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and industry researchers who are interested in improving their science communication skills. In the database, you can find: links to interviews with expert science writers, a guide to pitching stories, a list of science writing articles, stories by SciCommers, and more.
Organization:

Boston University

Published By:

SciCommers

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

The ultimate science writing resource guide

This Medium post by science journalist Shel Evergreen covers the basics of what science writing is, and shares a variety of resources for getting started. The post covers: science writing basics, educational resources, careers, and freelancing. "But I could never find a single source that concisely summed up where to go for questions, resources, jobs, and more," Evergreen writes. "So, I hope this will serve as a useful tool for emerging science writers and seasoned professionals alike."
Resource Database / Guide

The ultimate science writing resource guide

Summary:
This Medium post by science journalist Shel Evergreen covers the basics of what science writing is, and shares a variety of resources for getting started. The post covers: science writing basics, educational resources, careers, and freelancing. "But I could never find a single source that concisely summed up where to go for questions, resources, jobs, and more," Evergreen writes. "So, I hope this will serve as a useful tool for emerging science writers and seasoned professionals alike."
Author:

Shel Evergreen

Date:

January 30, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Know your research: Helping journalists understand academic research

This section from The Journalist's Resource features articles and tipsheets about reporting on scientific research. Topics covered include understanding research methods, finding and recognizing high-quality research, avoiding missteps when reporting on new studies, and more. New articles are added to the section every few weeks.
Resource Database / Guide

Know your research: Helping journalists understand academic research

Summary:
This section from The Journalist's Resource features articles and tipsheets about reporting on scientific research. Topics covered include understanding research methods, finding and recognizing high-quality research, avoiding missteps when reporting on new studies, and more. New articles are added to the section every few weeks.
Published By:

The Journalist's Resource

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

How to become a science journalist? A practical guide on science journalism basics in Arabic

This guide, written by science journalism and communication trainer Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan, explains science journalism basics for Arabic-langauge speakers. (The resource is written in Arabic.)
Article

How to become a science journalist? A practical guide on science journalism basics in Arabic

Summary:
This guide, written by science journalism and communication trainer Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan, explains science journalism basics for Arabic-langauge speakers. (The resource is written in Arabic.)
Author:

Mohamed Elsonbaty Ramadan

Published By:

British Council Egypt

Category:
For:
VISIT
Workshop

Science essentials for local reporters

SciLine, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

This free, one-hour “crash course” — designed specifically for local and general assignment reporters — teaches basic principles about how science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story. Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Tori Espensen cover do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting. This course is offered periodically throughout the year; check the link for the next offering.
Workshop

Science essentials for local reporters

Summary:
This free, one-hour “crash course” — designed specifically for local and general assignment reporters — teaches basic principles about how science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story. Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Tori Espensen cover do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when including science in your news reporting. This course is offered periodically throughout the year; check the link for the next offering.
Organization:

SciLine, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Location:

Virtual

Dates:

November 8, 2023

Category:
For:
VISIT
Podcast

Opinion Science: The science communication podcast series

Opinion Science

Opinion Science is a podcast exploring the science behind our opinions, where they come from, and how they change, hosted by social psychologist, Andy Luttrell. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Opinion Science featured conversations with science communicators, covering how they got into science communication, their approach to conveying research findings in an engaging way, and what you can do to be a more effective communicator. Guests include Joss Fong, David McRaney, Daniel Pink, Steve Rathje, Melinda Wenner Moyer, Siri Carpenter, and Latif Nasser.
Podcast

Opinion Science: The science communication podcast series

Summary:
Opinion Science is a podcast exploring the science behind our opinions, where they come from, and how they change, hosted by social psychologist, Andy Luttrell. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Opinion Science featured conversations with science communicators, covering how they got into science communication, their approach to conveying research findings in an engaging way, and what you can do to be a more effective communicator. Guests include Joss Fong, David McRaney, Daniel Pink, Steve Rathje, Melinda Wenner Moyer, Siri Carpenter, and Latif Nasser.
Organization:

Opinion Science

Category:
For:
VISIT
Article

Science communication: a career where PhDs can make a difference

"Communicating about science allows researchers to step away from the minutiae of a subdiscipline and to once again explore the breadth of science more fully through an ever-evolving array of stories. A doctoral degree can confer distinct advantages in the eyes of prospective editors and employers. Here I describe those advantages, possible career directions, and steps toward making such a transition."
Article

Science communication: a career where PhDs can make a difference

Summary:
"Communicating about science allows researchers to step away from the minutiae of a subdiscipline and to once again explore the breadth of science more fully through an ever-evolving array of stories. A doctoral degree can confer distinct advantages in the eyes of prospective editors and employers. Here I describe those advantages, possible career directions, and steps toward making such a transition."
Author:

Robert Irion

Published By:

Molecular Biology of the Cell

Date:

October 13, 2017

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Publish Prosper: Online resources for The Science Writers’ Handbook

NASW

This collection of online resources on the NASW website accompanies The Science Writers Handbook, both produced by an online community of science writers called SciLance. "The Science Writers' Handbook was published in 2013, and for two years SciLancers also produced a blog — Pitch Publish Prosper — with nearly 300 posts. A collection of the 20 most popular posts is now archived here under four headings: Freelancing 101, Pitch, Publish, and Prosper."
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Publish Prosper: Online resources for The Science Writers’ Handbook

Summary:
This collection of online resources on the NASW website accompanies The Science Writers Handbook, both produced by an online community of science writers called SciLance. "The Science Writers' Handbook was published in 2013, and for two years SciLancers also produced a blog — Pitch Publish Prosper — with nearly 300 posts. A collection of the 20 most popular posts is now archived here under four headings: Freelancing 101, Pitch, Publish, and Prosper."
Organization:

NASW

Author:

The writers of SciLance

Category:
For:
VISIT
Book

How to Get Started in Freelance Science Writing

"In this book, Sheeva Azma, a freelance science writer since 2013, shares her best advice for how to transition from science to science writing. If you’re interested in freelance science writing but not sure how to get started, this book is for you. Learn about the basics of freelancing and how you can use your valuable research and critical thinking skills gained from your science background."
Book

How to Get Started in Freelance Science Writing

Summary:
"In this book, Sheeva Azma, a freelance science writer since 2013, shares her best advice for how to transition from science to science writing. If you’re interested in freelance science writing but not sure how to get started, this book is for you. Learn about the basics of freelancing and how you can use your valuable research and critical thinking skills gained from your science background."
Author:

Sheeva Azma

Published By:

Fancy Comma

Date:

March 23, 2021

Category:
For:
VISIT
Blog

Fancy Comma blog

The Fancy Comma blog includes insights on all things science writing: science communication, science writing, science journalism, science copywriting, and more, updated weekly. It accepts pitches; see https://fancycomma.com/write-for-us/. Fancy Comma also offers a resource page with suggested links for anyone interested in getting into science writing: https://fancycomma.com/resources/
Blog

Fancy Comma blog

Summary:
The Fancy Comma blog includes insights on all things science writing: science communication, science writing, science journalism, science copywriting, and more, updated weekly. It accepts pitches; see https://fancycomma.com/write-for-us/. Fancy Comma also offers a resource page with suggested links for anyone interested in getting into science writing: https://fancycomma.com/resources/
Author:

Sheeva Azma

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Reporting with Numbers

Reporting with Numbers is an extensive guide to using math in journalism, based on research by Knology and PBS News Hour. It covers math, statistics, graphs, data visualization, risk, and more in the topics of polling, health and medicine, climate, and economics. Its key goal "is to discover ways for making numbers in the news more accessible to the general public."
Resource Database / Guide

Reporting with Numbers

Summary:
Reporting with Numbers is an extensive guide to using math in journalism, based on research by Knology and PBS News Hour. It covers math, statistics, graphs, data visualization, risk, and more in the topics of polling, health and medicine, climate, and economics. Its key goal "is to discover ways for making numbers in the news more accessible to the general public."
Published By:

Knology, PBS News Hour

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

AHCJ Freelance Center

AHCJ

AHCJ offers a number of resources for freelance journalists working on health-related topics. Unlike other resources from the association, this resource center is freely available for non-members. "Our resources include job postings, advice articles, webcasts, links and more, and we look to members like you to offer suggestions, write tip sheets and expand our available links. We also have an active Freelance Committee interested in pursuing more services for you."
Resource Database / Guide

AHCJ Freelance Center

Summary:
AHCJ offers a number of resources for freelance journalists working on health-related topics. Unlike other resources from the association, this resource center is freely available for non-members. "Our resources include job postings, advice articles, webcasts, links and more, and we look to members like you to offer suggestions, write tip sheets and expand our available links. We also have an active Freelance Committee interested in pursuing more services for you."
Organization:

AHCJ

Category:
For:
VISIT
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Database

The Open Notebook's pitch database includes more than 250 actual, successful story pitches from science writers, plus links to the resulting published stories. Pitches may be searched by publication, year, story type, and author.
Resource Database / Guide

Pitch Database

Summary:
The Open Notebook's pitch database includes more than 250 actual, successful story pitches from science writers, plus links to the resulting published stories. Pitches may be searched by publication, year, story type, and author.
Published By:

The Open Notebook

Category:
For:
VISIT