Nova Institute Media Fellowship 2025 USA, $60,000

Nova Institute USA Media Fellowship 2025 – $60,000 Grant Opportunity for Journalists

The Nova Institute for Health is inviting applications for its 2025 Media Fellowship Program, offering a $60,000 stipend to support impactful, science-based storytelling.

This fellowship supports journalists who seek to uncover how social, political, and environmental factors affect public and personal health outcomes.

Deadline: May 19, 2025
Funding: Partial (Up to $60,000 + $7,500 in reimbursements)
Target Audience: U.S.-based Journalists
Location: United States
Program Type: Fellowship
Fields Covered:

• Public Health

• Mental Health

• Child Health Nursing

• Health Sciences

• Social Justice

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is open to:

• Full-time U.S.-based journalists in print, digital, or broadcast media

• Writers working in nonprofit, student-led, or community-based newsrooms

• Reporters with a strong record in local, regional, or national outlets

• Journalists with a commitment to science-driven, solutions-oriented reporting

Note: Applicants must reside in the United States for the entire 12-month fellowship term. Projects may include international travel, but fellows must remain based in the U.S.

Project Focus Areas (2025–2026)

Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that address:

• Health of Children and Adolescents: Mental health, chronic conditions, and social support systems

• Mental Health and Emotional Well-being: Loneliness, trauma, and post-pandemic challenges

• Health Inequities: Systemic barriers, racial and economic disparities, and environmental justice

• Intersectional and Transdisciplinary Health: Exploring the connection between individual, community, and environmental health

All projects must aim for public impact and include scientific accuracy, data analysis, and inclusive engagement strategies.

Fellowship Benefits

• $60,000 stipend disbursed over 12 months

• Up to $7,500 reimbursement for travel and professional development expenses

• Full funding for in-person meetings hosted by the Nova Institute

• Access to a collaborative network of journalists, scholars, and public health experts

Eligibility Criteria

• Open to domestic (U.S.-based) applicants only

• Applicants from historically underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply, including:

  • People of color

  • Women

  • LGBTQ+ individuals

  • Indigenous journalists

  • People with disabilities

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following:

• A project proposal outlining the topic, goals, format, audience, and publication plan

• A current résumé or CV

• Samples of previously published or broadcast journalism

• Newsrooms must also include an editorial structure and focus

• Finalists will be asked to submit one to two letters of recommendation

Key Dates

• Fellowship Announcement: April 7, 2025

• Informational Q&A Session (via Zoom): April 30, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET

• Application Deadline: May 19, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET

• Finalist Interviews: Mid-July 2025

• Fellowship Start Date: September 2, 2025 (flexible)

• In-Person Fellows Meeting: October 12–15, 2025, in Baltimore, MD

Note: All dates are subject to change, except the final application deadline.

How to Apply

To view complete guidelines and submit your application, visit the official Nova Institute website:
Apply Now on the Nova Institute Fellowship Page