THe WHOI Ocean Science Journalism Fellowship is a one-week, residential experience open to professional science writers, producers, and editors working for print, broadcast, radio, and Internet media. Created in 2000, the program is designed to introduce science journalists to the interdisciplinary and wide-ranging fields of oceanography and ocean engineering. Through seminars, laboratory visits, and brief field expeditions, Ocean Science Journalism Fellows gain access to new research findings and to fundamental background information in engineering, marine biology, geology and geophysics, marine chemistry and geochemistry, and physical oceanography. Topics range from harmful algal blooms to deep-sea hydrothermal vents; from seafloor earthquakes to ice-sheet dynamics; from the ocean’s role in climate change to the human impact on fisheries and coastline change; from ocean instruments and observatories to underwater robots. The ideal candidates will have at least two years of writing, producing, or editing experience for a general-interest audience. Freelancers, book authors, and writers from nontraditional media may also be considered, but should be able to show a substantial portfolio of work.
WHOI covers travel expenses for all fellows and room and board for one week.
International journalists are welcome to apply. Please include English translations of your work samples.
Application Information
Applications are accepted starting January 23, 2017, and must be received by May 12, 2017.
There are two means of applying: You may mail your completed application form and hard copies of required materials (postmarked no later than May 12, 2017) or apply online by filling out the online application form and uploading all of the required materials by the application deadline.
Whether you apply online or via mail, all applications must include the following required materials:
- Completed application form
- Current CV or résumé
- One page letter stating why you want to attend this program and what you hope to gain from it
- Three samples of professional work, ideally completed within the past two years. (Uploaded articles should be in the form of PDFs or direct web links to specific work samples.
Online Application Instructions If you choose to apply online, please fill out the online application form and upload your required materials.
Mail-in Instructions If you are mailing hard copies of your application and required materials, please follow the instructions below:
Fill out and print the printable application form.
Print Journalists: Please submit articles in 8-1/2 X 11″ and avoid reducing text size. Submit one chapter instead of whole books. Make sure all submissions are clearly marked with your name. Editors should indicate their involvement in the selected piece.
Broadcast Journalists: Submit DVDs or CDs marked with the total running time of piece. Directors and producers should indicate their involvement in the broadcast.
Multimedia Journalists, Photographers, and Artists: Submit printed samples of stories, graphics, photographs, artwork, or illustrations; CDs of work are also acceptable.
Please do not submit any items that are irreplaceable as materials will not be returned.
Applications must be postmarked by the deadline, and mailed to:
Erin Koenig Ocean Science Journalism Fellowship Mail Stop #16 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole, MA 02543
Application deadline: May 12, 2017. Materials received after the deadline will not be considered.