Nova Media Health Journalism Fellowship

• Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be working journalists with a proven track record of publication in local, regional, or national outlets in the United States, while nonprofit and student-led newsrooms are also eligible to apply.
• Type of Funding: Grant
• Target Region: North America
• Application Language: English

Nova’s Media Fellowship supports outstanding print, digital, and broadcast journalists as well as nonprofit newsrooms who are reporting on the complex, interconnected factors that affect health and well-being. In 2026-27, Nova will support three exemplary proposals exploring health, well-being, and our ability to flourish and live a fulfilling life. Media Fellows will each receive $60,000 disbursed over 12 months, with travel and conference stipends available.

Each year, Media Fellows pursue evidence-based, solution-focused reporting projects that contribute to our shared understanding of health and well-being. Their work has been published in the New York Times, the Guardian, Science, Grist, Bloomberg, Eos, Knowable, NPR, Science Friday, and more.

Thematics

In 2026-27, Nova strongly encourages proposals exploring the following topic areas:

• Upstream factors influencing children’s health and well-being including, but not limited to, new insights around nutrition, education, and/or early childhood experiences
• Mental health, well-being, and justice in all its forms including, but not limited to, the legalome and emerging paradigms for compassion and dignity in carceral and legal systems
• Planetary health, collective flourishing, and pathways for addressing interconnected global challenges through integrated approaches, ecological solutions, and personal and collective practices that nurture a sense of connection with the living world
• Artificial intelligence and technology’s far-reaching impacts on health care, mental health, and/or broader societal well-being
• Emerging solutions for new models of primary health care systems that help overcome longstanding inequities
• Regenerative agriculture, conscious food systems, and possibilities for transformative new approaches and practices

The above list is not exhaustive or exclusive. Nova welcomes any proposals that take a fresh, creative approach to connecting the dots around health and flourishing.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be working journalists with established track records of publication in local, regional, or national markets.
• Nonprofit newsrooms and student-led newsrooms at educational institutions are also encouraged to apply.
• Projects may take a global focus and/or involve international reporting. However, Media Fellows must reside in the United States for the entirety of the fellowship term. 
• Book proposals, poetry, songwriting, artwork, and academic research projects will not be accepted.
• Nova acknowledges longstanding inequities that have adversely impacted the health of communities such as systemic racism and economic injustice. We encourage applications from women, people of color, LGBTQ+, Native and Indigenous peoples, and/or members of historically marginalized communities.
• Please review our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

How to apply

Applicants should first read the application guidelines and apply on this page no later than April 20, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET. 

For more information, please visit this page.