NASW offers a variety of awards, grants and fellowships that recognize professional work, support science writers in their professional lives, and benefit the field of science writing. Click on the tabs above for the latest news and information about these programs.

Opportunities include:

Science in Society Journalism Awards

The Science in Society Journalism Awards provide recognition for investigative or interpretive reporting about the sciences and their impact on society and are funded by NASW without subsidy from any professional or commercial interest. Cash prizes are awarded and entries are open to all and free for NASW members as well as members of several minority journalism organizations.

The awards are open for submissions from Dec. 1 to Feb. 1 each year.

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Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards

The National Association of Science Writers established the Excellence in Institutional Writing Award in 2018 to recognize high-caliber, publicly accessible science writing produced on behalf of an institution or other non-media organization. Cash prizes are awarded and entries are open to all and free for NASW members as well as members of several minority journalism organizations.

Entries open Dec. 1 and close Feb. 1 each year.

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Peggy Girshman Idea Grants

Through its Peggy Girshman Idea Grant program, NASW invites proposals from individuals or groups to apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 for projects and programs that are designed to help science writers in their professional lives and/or to benefit the field of science writing.

Applications typically open in October each year.

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Travel fellowships

NASW offers a variety of travel fellowships, including subsidies for writers and students to attend our annual ScienceWriters conference and opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students to attend the annual AAAS meeting.

Applications are open throughout the year.

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Diversity Fellowships

Diversity fellowships support students and early career science writers from underrepresented groups—including racial minorities, members of the LGBTQ community, and those with disabilities—with the costs associated with pursuing summer internships. Awardees receive a $5000 fellowship to supplement any stipends they receive from their summer employer. Fellows also receive a one-year complimentary membership to NASW.

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Career Grants

Career Grants award up to $2,500 for projects that aim to increase the overall scope of the person's career opportunities. Through periodic offers since 2009, $100,000 in Career Grant funds have been distributed to help established science writers advance their careers.

Future rounds will be announced via nasw.org.

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Diane McGurgan Service Award

This Diane McGurgan Service Award honors NASW members whose efforts on behalf of NASW go beyond the call of duty. Recipients are selected by the NASW Board and the annual award comes with a cash prize of $500.

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