The fellowship program for Advanced Science Journalism in Africa and Middle East is accepting application.The fellowship is hosted by the Knight Science Journalism at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The program is inspired from the life of Egyptian science journalist Muhammad Yahia. 

The program is structured in a way that will enrich journalists from Africa or the Middle East to contribute to the region through high-quality work journalism. Meanwhile, creating awareness about advances in other parts of the word. 

The fellowship is an attribution to the remarkable contribution of Yahia to science Journalism. It’s a one-semester fellowship that will be held in the fall of the academic year. The fellows will join other KSJ fellows at MIT and other Cambridge/Boston area universities. The fellowship program  is based on seminars, workshops, and field trips throughout the course. 

A global publisher, Spring Nature, sponsors this fellowship program. Yahia has worked for Spring Nature for 14 years. He built an award winning editorial team. He was the former managing editor of the Nature Portfolio in the Middle east. 

Benefits of the fellowship program

• $40,000 stipend for the semester
• MIT health insurance
• $5,000 stipend to help with start-up housing costs
• Full access MIT benefits such as subsidized public transportation, access to museums and other programs in the area
• Connections to a thriving community of science journalists

Eligibility Criteria for the fellowship 

• Journalist from Africa and Middle East
• At least three years experience in reporting on science, health, or environmental issues
• Reproters, writers, editors, producers, illustrators, filmmakers, photojournalists
• Work for newspapers, magazines, television, radio or digital media

 Documents required for the fellowship program 

• Statement of Purpose (500 words)
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae ( including education, work history, professional honors)
• Three sample work (the one which best illustrate your interest and abilities 
• Letter of professional reference (at least one recommendation letter, additional are optional)

Application deadline 

The application deadline is March 01,2024 at 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time. Grace period for recommendation letters until March 4th, 2024. 

How to apply for the program?

The application is online. Applicants can create accounts and apply for the fellowship. You must upload all required documents, and apply timely. 

The link for the application is below, 

For more information about the program, check official page,

If you win the fellowship award, you must meet the following expectios:

• Reside full-time in the Boston-Cambridge area for MIT from August 16, 2024 to mid-December 2024.
• Attend field trips, seminars, and required training sessions arranged by KSJ.
• Develop a course of study that includes at least one science course. Fellows audit courses at MIT, Harvard and other area universities. 
• Refrain from outside paid professional work during The Fellowship, unless written permission from the director