Nova Institute Media Fellowship 2025 — $60,000 for Health-Focused Journalists

Are you a journalist passionate about telling stories that explore how health is shaped by social, political, and environmental systems? The Nova Institute for Health invites applications for its 2025 Media Fellowship Program, a transformative opportunity offering a $60,000 stipend to support science-based, solutions-driven journalism.

Designed to empower reporters investigating the root causes of health inequities, this 12-month fellowship provides both funding and professional support to help journalists produce impactful work that elevates public understanding of critical health issues.

Nova Institute Media Fellowship Overview

• Fellowship Name: Nova Institute Media Fellowship 2025

• Funding Provided: $60,000 stipend over 12 months

• Additional Support: Up to $7,500 in reimbursements for travel and professional development

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

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

• Location: United States (Fellows must remain U.S.-based throughout the fellowship)

Nova Institute Media Fellowship (What Projects Will Be Funded?)

Applicants are encouraged to propose longform, investigative, or multimedia projects with strong public relevance and scientific rigor. Projects must be grounded in health-related issues and fall within one or more of the following focus areas:

• Child and Adolescent Health: Mental health, chronic illness, social care systems

• Mental Health & Emotional Well-being: Trauma, loneliness, and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic

• Health Equity: Systemic racism, economic disparity, and environmental injustice

• Intersectional and Transdisciplinary Health: How personal, environmental, and community health intersect

All proposals should aim for public impact, be supported by sound data, and include inclusive engagement strategies.

Nova Institute Media Fellowship (Who Should Apply?)

The Nova Institute Media Fellowship 2025 is open to:

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

• Reporters working in nonprofit, community-led, or student-run newsrooms

• Writers with experience at local, regional, or national outlets

• Journalists committed to science-based, solutions-oriented reporting

Note: Fellows must reside in the U.S. for the entire fellowship term. International reporting is allowed, but the fellow must remain U.S.-based.

Nova Institute Media Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive:

• A $60,000 stipend disbursed over 12 months

• Up to $7,500 for professional development, including travel, training, or reporting-related costs

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

• Access to a professional network of health experts, researchers, and fellow journalists

• Mentorship and editorial support throughout the fellowship

 Commitment to Inclusion

The Nova Institute encourages applications from journalists who identify with historically underrepresented groups, including:

• People of color

• Women

• LGBTQ+ individuals

• Indigenous reporters

• Journalists with disabilities

The fellowship supports diverse voices and perspectives in health storytelling.

Nova Institute Media Fellowship (Application Requirements)

Applicants must submit the following materials:

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

• A current résumé or CV

• Samples of published or broadcast work

• Editorial support letter if applying from a newsroom

• Letters of recommendation (1–2) — required for finalists only

 Key Dates to Remember

• 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: Dates are subject to change, except for the final deadline.

Nova Institute Media Fellowship (How to Apply)

To review full fellowship guidelines and submit your application, visit the Nova Institute Fellowship Page.

[Apply Now]

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This prestigious opportunity supports the next generation of health reporters dedicated to deep, evidence-based storytelling. Ready to elevate your impact in health journalism?