Fellowships in Science Writing

Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting Announces Training Fellowships for Journalists

Two Unique Opportunities for Journalists to Focus on Science Reporting

NARRAGANSETT, RI – November 18, 2009 –The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental reporting is recruiting journalists for two science training opportunities: the Twelfth Annual Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists, June 6-11, 2010; and a Metcalf Institute Science Seminar for Journalists, March 31-April 1, 2010.

The 12th Annual Workshop offers fellowships for early to mid-career journalists to attend a weeklong science immersion program at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography, a leading marine science research campus. The 2010 program Coastal Impacts: Energy Sources and the Marine Environment, will explore the value of different energy sources in mitigating climate change and how these options affect surrounding environments. A fellowship provides tuition, room and board, some travel support, and one year of membership with the Society of Environmental Journalists. There is limited space for non-U.S. citizens. Applications for the Twelfth Annual Science Immersion Workshop for Journalists must be postmarked by January 18, 2010.

Metcalf Institute and the Brown University Superfund Research Program will offer a two-day seminar for mid-career journalists at Brown University, entitled “Waiter There’s a Phthalate in My Soup” – Reporting on the Science and Impacts of Toxic Chemicals. This seminar, funded by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, will feature leading environmental scientists and journalists, visits to research labs, and discussions on the communication of bisphenol-A and air quality impacts. The Science Seminar for Journalists is tuition-free and includes lodging, but travel costs are not included and space is limited. Applications for the Science Seminar for Journalists must be postmarked by February 8, 2010.

Reporting on the environment, public policy, and even business, often requires journalists to explain complex scientific research and its implications. Metcalf Institute fellowships provide opportunities for journalists to better understand environmental research methods, cultivate scientific sources and sharpen their reporting skills through fieldwork and labs. Fellowship recipients also benefit from informal, off-deadline conversations abut environmental reporting with researchers and veteran journalists. Both programs are available to journalists from all media who are interested in learning about science and the environment. Applicants should have a minimum of one to two years experience as professional journalists and a strong interest in science reporting.

Applications for both programs may be downloaded at www.metcalfinstitute.org. For additional program information, call 401-874-6211 or email fellowships@metcalfinstitute.org.

The mission of the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting is to promote clear and accurate reporting of scientific news and environmental issues; to strengthen understanding and working relationships between members of the scientific community and members of the news media; and to provide opportunities for beginning journalists to learn, on both a formal and an informal level, how to improve their skills in marine and environmental reporting.

The Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting was established in 1997 with funding from three media foundations, the Belo Corporation, the Providence Journal Charitable Foundation and the Philip L. Graham Fund, and from the Telaka Foundation. It is named for the late Michael P. Metcalf, a visionary in journalism and publisher of The Providence Journal Bulletin from 1979-1987. The Metcalf Institute provides science training for reporters and editors to help improve the accuracy and clarity of marine and environmental reporting and offers journalism fellowships in support of diversity and reporting on science and the environment. For more information, contact the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting at 401-874-6211 or online at www.metcalfinstitute.org.