Applications Invited for MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowships

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About the Organization

Founded in 2014, the Environmental Solutions Initiative is MIT’s institute-wide effort to mobilize the substantial scientific, engineering, policy, and design capacity of our community to contribute to addressing climate change and other environmental challenges of global import. We pursue multidisciplinary research, education, events, and partnerships to help move society toward an environmentally and socially sustainable future.

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts on MIT’s main campus, ESI is powered by a lean staff working closely with students and faculty across the full spectrum of disciplines.  Led by architecture professor John E. Fernandez, a leading scholar in the emerging field of urban metabolism, ESI is advised by students, faculty, alumni, and thought leaders from many sectors of society.

About the Fellowship

The MIT Environmental Solutions Journalism Fellowship supports 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.

Studies show that localizing climate change impacts and actions is an effective way to engage audiences in climate solutions. Yet today, climate journalism is primarily limited to national news outlets. This fellowship helps provide Americans—especially those living in areas where climate change is controversial or underreported—with well-researched reporting on what a shift to a low-carbon economy can mean for them, their communities, and their local economies.

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.

Starting in January 2025, Fellows will participate in a four-month nonresident program that includes:

• A multi-day virtual workshop* where Fellows will connect with MIT climate scientists, earth modeling 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).

Who Can Apply

• We welcome applications from staff writers of U.S. newsrooms, or freelance journalists in association with a sponsoring newsroom, who want to tackle an ambitious project.
• Newsrooms can include newspapers, news magazines, broadcast stations, digital news outlets, and investigative journalism organizations. Writers employed by or writing for think tanks, lobbying groups, or advocacy groups are not eligible.
• We look for applicants with proven journalism experience, proven ability to report and execute a complex project in their proposed medium, and a strong background or reporting experience in the subject.
• We are committed to working with rural, hydrocarbon-producing and marginalized communities across the United States and we will ask judges to keep this in mind when selecting Fellowship placements.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their application by October 14, 2024, 11:59 PM ET using this submission form: https://climate.mit.edu/journalism-apply.

The application includes the following:

• Resume/CV;
• One page cover letter introducing yourself, your proposed project and qualifications to execute it, and why you are seeking fellowship support;
• A letter of recommendation and commitment from a news editor who pledges that the news outlet will publish your feature/series (see below);
• Up to three samples of your best and most relevant work, published during the past 24 months; and
• A two- to three-page project proposal outlining your project. Please include:
• Your plan for incorporating the required project features listed above;
• A description of the makeup and size of your audience;
• How the project will engage Americans in parts of the country where climate change is disputed, controversial or underreported, in a way that is new or novel;
• What kinds of expertise, information/data, and multimedia content you would like to have access to/include;
• Disclosure of any potential conflicts of interest you may have;
• A proposed budget for the $5k expenditure; and
• Encouraged but optional: what an audience engagement component would look like.

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