• Science Journalist

  Science Journalist

  Freelance Journalist
  Developed journalism for publication and was self-employed.
  
  

  Early-Career Journalist
  Had 5 years or less of professional experience developing journalism for publication.
  
  

  Local/Regional Journalist
  Was locally/regionally based and developed journalism for publication that:

  • Focused on local/regional issues.

  • Reported the effects of wider issues on a locality or region.

  Journalism is the independent production of fact-based content. Editorial and reporting decisions are made free from undue influence by sources, sponsors, political interests, or subjects of coverage. Content submitted in the journalism categories must not be funded by (a) source(s) that also fund(s) the organizations, people and/or projects covered and/or cited in the submitted content. It is grounded in verification, objectivity, and contextual reporting, and may include investigative or watchdog work.

• Science Communicator

  Science Communicator

  Addressed issues or advances in science, engineering, or medical fields and did not identify as a science journalist or practicing research scientist.

  Independent Communicator
  Produced science communication work independently, including freelance or contract work developed outside of an organization’s internal structure.

  Organizational Communicator
  Produced science communication work as part of their role within an organization, using institutional resources or operating within its structure.

• Research Scientist

  Research Scientist

  Graduate Student Researcher
  Was a Master’s, MD, or PhD candidate practicing research in science, engineering, or medical fields.
   

  Early-Career Researcher
  Was a practicing researcher in science, engineering, or medical fields and was less than 10 years post-Master’s, MD, or PhD.
   

  Later-Career Researcher
  Was a practicing researcher in science, engineering, or medical fields and was 10 or more years post-Master’s, MD, or PhD.

FAQs

• My work spans categories. Should I submit to both?

  My work spans categories. Should I submit to both?

  No. Submit to the category that most closely aligns with your situation in 2025, and the work example(s) you intend to provide. Duplicate submissions will not be considered. Even if you have created works in multiple categories, the work example(s) you provide should support the category in which you choose to submit.

  Please select the category and work example(s) that most closely match your situation and the work example(s) you intend to provide. 

• What category should I apply to if I was in a lecturer / instructional / teaching professor track and developed science communications in 2025?

  What category should I apply to if I was in a lecturer / instructional / teaching professor track and developed science communications in 2025?

  Please submit to one of the science communicator categories if you are not a practicing researcher and/or are in a lecturer / instructional / teaching professor track.

• Am I more applicable to the Science Journalist: Freelance or Science Communicator: Independent category?

  Am I more applicable to the Science Journalist: Freelance or Science Communicator: Independent category?

  We understand that award candidates can work between disciplines, and this is especially true among freelance, independent, or other self-employed sectors. If the majority of your work in 2025 was journalistic in nature, you are encouraged to submit to the Science Journalist: Freelance Category. If you were self-employed, working outside of journalism in 2025, and reaching audiences not reached through traditional journalistic media, you are encouraged to submit to the Science Communicator: Independent Category. Please select the category and work examples that most closely match your situation and the work example(s) you intend to provide.

• Am I more applicable to the Science Communicator: Independent or Science Communicator: Organizational category?

  Am I more applicable to the Science Communicator: Independent or Science Communicator: Organizational category?

  If you are an independent science communicator who was contracted by an organization to produce the work example(s) – and it was (and they were) produced outside of the organizational structure – then apply as Science Communicator: Independent.  If you were integrated into the organization and leveraged the organizational resources to produce the work example(s), then apply as Science Communicator: Organizational.  You will have an opportunity to further articulate your involvement in the work example(s) you intend to provide on the application.

• My work example(s) were part of a team effort. How do I acknowledge other team members’ contributions?

  My work example(s) were part of a team effort. How do I acknowledge other team members’ contributions?

  We recognize that many science communication and journalism projects are collaborative, and we value the role teamwork plays in this work.  At the same time,  these awards are intended to recognize individual contributions by those working at the frontlines of science communication or journalism.

  As part of the application, you will be asked to describe your specific role in each work example and will have an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of collaborators. When selecting work examples, we encourage you to choose projects that clearly demonstrate your own ability to communicate science, engineering, or medicine. In general, it is advised against submitting work for which others could reasonably claim substantial credit or where the applicant’s contribution was not primary.

• Are there preferred content areas or mediums?

  Are there preferred content areas or mediums?

  No. The program will consider all high-quality submissions that address issues or advances in science, engineering, or medicine for the general public.

• Am I eligible to apply if I live outside of the United States?

  Am I eligible to apply if I live outside of the United States?

  Yes, this awards program accepts submissions from both international and United States applicants. All submissions must be in English. Works translated to English from another language are also accepted.