MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is accepting applications for its Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship to support freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. local/regional newsrooms in developing a high-impact news project that reports on how climate change and/or the shift to a low-carbon economy relates to local communities and regions, in a way that centers local messengers, values, and priorities.

For this cohort of fellows, special consideration will be given to news projects centered on climate solutions within the food and waste systems, including food waste and methane emissions in waste management.

Fellowship activities

Starting in January 2025, Fellows in the Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship will participate in a four-month non-resident program that includes:

• A multi-day virtual workshop* where Fellows will connect with MIT climate scientists, earth modelling researchers, political scientists, energy economists, and others;
• Access to an editor to support project structure and packaging;
• Training on using MIT’s extensive library databases, socioeconomic climate analyses, and other resources as requested;
• Twice a month virtual cohort meetings (attendance is expected);
• Republication of the project through MIT and partner channels; and
• Stipends of $10,000 plus up to $5,000 for qualified expenses (ex., travel, multimedia development, hosting an event).

Eligible projects

The fellowship supports projects that:

• Relate climate change, the shift to a low-carbon economy, and or climate solutions within food and waste systems to their audience’s existing priorities and values;
• Focus on the newsroom’s home counties or state.
• Feature lived experience and local perspectives and voices.
• Clearly indicate the applicant deeply understands their audience and local concerns.
• Are investigative or explanatory.
• Produce a long form feature or a series of a minimum of 4 shorter pieces;
• Will open local conversations about climate change solutions and empower their audience to engage with this issue.
• Have received a commitment from a local regional news outlet to publish the feature.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is October 14, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.