Skip to main content

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

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.

AAAS works every day to increase public understanding of science and technology and to enhance communication among scientists, engineers, and the public. As one of AAAS’ immersive fellowships, the AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship aims to strengthen the community of scientists who are well-versed in communicating complex ideas to a general audience and to bring accurate science stories to the public.

Program

This highly competitive program strengthens the connections between scientists and journalists by placing advanced undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level scientists, engineers, and mathematicians at media organizations nationwide. Fellows work as journalists at media organizations such as National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, WIRED, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and NOVA. The Mass Media 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 scientists and their journalist-hosts strive to make science news easy for the public to understand. The program strives to improve public understanding of science by enhancing coverage of science-related issues in the media. By embedding science students and recent grads in media outlets, the Fellows learn how to communicate scientific topics in clear and engaging ways, better understand how science is covered in the media, and build up a professional network of scientists and journalists who can work together to share science effectively. In its 45+ year history, the program has supported over 800 fellows.

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must a) be enrolled as students (upper level undergraduate or graduate), b) be a postdoctoral trainee, or c) apply within one year of the completion of a) or b). Applicants must be in the life, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences or mathematics and related fields.  If you have questions about your eligibility, email mmfellowship@aaas.org.
  2. 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 Diverse Voices in Science Journalism Internship.
  3. 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. 
  4. 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

Fellows are provided a stipend of $8000 for the summer as well as travel expenses to and from AAAS and their sites. AAAS does not provide health care or employee benefits. AAAS does not provide housing or an additional housing stipend

2024 Dates

Anticipated dates for 2024 are below. Activities will be onsite.

Application window: October 1, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Fellowship: June 5, 2024 - August 20, 2024
Orientation in DC: June 5 - 7, 2024
Dates onsite: June 10 - August 16, 2024
Wrap-up in DC: August 19 - 20, 2024

Keep up with fellowship dates and news on Twitter @AAASMassMedia.

Past Fellows

Learn more about past Mass Media fellows here.

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

AAAS Announces 2023 Mass Media Fellows

Office of Communications | Public Engagement | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

2022 AAAS Mass Media Fellows Bring Science, Their Identities and Their Experiences to Newsrooms Around the Country

Office of Communications | Public Engagement | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

New Mentorship Program Extends the Benefits of the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Public Engagement
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Look Back on Summer in Journalism

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Public Engagement
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Reflect on Paths to Science Communication

Office of Communications | Public Engagement | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellowship Highlights the Need for Science Communicators

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Public Engagement
AAAS News

Scientists Sharpen Journalism Skills in Newsrooms During Summer Fellowship

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Public Engagement
AAAS News

AAAS Makes Science Relatable

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

AAAS Resources for Students: Preparing for Careers in Innovation, Communication or Education

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Public Engagement
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Bridge Science and Journalism to Share Science Stories Across the Nation

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Reflect on Science Journalism Experience

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Aspiring Science Journalists Begin Fellowships During ‘Pivot Points in History’

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Conclude a Summer of Science Journalism

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Embark on a Summer as Science Journalists

Office of Communications | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship
AAAS News

Mass Media Fellows Wrap Up Productive Summer

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Diverse Voices in Science Journalism Internship

AAAS Mass Media Fellowship & Minority Science Writers Internship Wrap-Up Poster Session

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

AAAS Mass Media Fellowship Deadline to Apply

Education and Human Resources | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship | Diverse Voices in Science Journalism Internship

Mass Media Fellowship and Science Interns Poster Session

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

AAAS Mass Media Fellow Program Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2017!

Education and Human Resources | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

2014 Mass Media Fellows Poster Session

Education and Human Resources | AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Wrap up a Summer of Reporting

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Work on the Front Lines

AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship

2011 AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellows Fan Out to U.S. Newsrooms