SJN and MIT Launch Climate Journalism Fellowship for U.S. Local Reporters

The Solutions Journalism Network and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have opened applications for a new eight-month climate journalism fellowship that will give ten U.S.-based journalists a $7,500 stipend each to produce ambitious, well-researched local reporting on climate solutions. Applications close on October 26, 2026.

The SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship is a first-of-its-kind partnership between MIT and the Solutions Journalism Network. It will support freelance and staff journalists developing high-impact news projects for local and regional outlets in 2027 — with the fellowship itself spanning the first eight months of the year, according to the MIT program’s announcement.

The SJN/MIT climate journalism fellowship brings science training to local newsrooms

Research cited by the organizers shows that localizing climate change impacts and solutions is an effective way to engage new audiences — yet climate journalism remains concentrated in national news outlets. The fellowship is designed to change that by placing rigorous, solutions-focused climate reporting in the communities where those solutions are actually being implemented.

Fellows will receive in-depth programming on climate science, climate and energy policy, economics, climate change communication and public opinion, along with hands-on training in the four pillars of solutions journalism — the method the Solutions Journalism Network uses for rigorous reporting on responses to social problems.

What the ten fellows will receive

Each of the ten selected journalists will receive a $7,500 stipend. The fellowship also includes a climate-focused train-the-trainers component, an in-person gathering at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in April, and republication of the fellows’ stories through a partnership with the Public News Service, according to opportunity listings. MIT will provide workshops and guidance on climate science and science communication, while the Solutions Journalism Network will help fellows develop reporting that gives readers a sense of agency and an understanding of how major problems are being overcome.

Who can apply

The fellowship is open to freelance and staff journalists based in the United States. A background in climate or environmental reporting is valued but not required — reporters on other beats, such as local government, business, agriculture, energy, health or community affairs, are welcome to apply if they want to bring climate solutions into their reporting, according to the program listings.

Key dates

Applications are due on Monday, October 26, 2026. The organizers held an information session for prospective applicants on October 14 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The fellowship is non-residential and will span the first eight months of 2027.

For more on climate journalism and environmental storytelling, visit the Watan News English section.

FAKTA

• The Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have jointly launched the SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship.
• Ten U.S.-based freelance and staff journalists will each receive a $7,500 stipend for an eight-month, non-residential fellowship in 2027.
• Fellows receive MIT programming in climate science, policy, economics and communication, plus SJN training in the four pillars of solutions journalism.
• The program includes a climate-focused train-the-trainers component, an in-person gathering at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in April, and story republication through a Public News Service partnership.
• Applications close on October 26, 2026; a climate reporting background is valued but not required.

Frequently asked questions

What is the SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship?
It is a new eight-month fellowship run jointly by the Solutions Journalism Network and MIT, supporting ten U.S.-based freelance and staff journalists to produce locally grounded climate-solutions reporting for local and regional outlets in 2027.

How much funding do fellows receive, and what else is included?
Each fellow receives a $7,500 stipend, in-depth MIT programming on climate science, policy, economics and communication, hands-on training in the four pillars of solutions journalism, a train-the-trainers component, an in-person gathering at the Society of Environmental Journalists conference in April, and story republication through a Public News Service partnership, according to opportunity listings.

Who can apply?
Freelance and staff journalists based in the United States who want to develop high-impact news projects for local or regional outlets. A background in climate reporting is valued but not required.

When is the application deadline?
Applications are due on Monday, October 26, 2026. An information session for prospective applicants was held on October 14 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Why does the fellowship focus on local, solutions-based reporting?
The organizers cite research showing that localizing climate impacts and solutions engages new audiences, yet climate journalism is still mostly limited to national outlets — the fellowship aims to build rigorous local solutions reporting in the communities where solutions are being implemented.