$60K science journalism fellowship for Canadians

A $60,000 science journalism award provides training and writing opportunities overseas for a young Canadian journalist.

The fellowship is being funded by the International Development Research Centre, a Canadian organization aimed at providing research assistance to the Developing World, and Nature, the leading international scientific journal.

The IDRC Nature Science Journalism Award provides travel, living expenses and administrative costs for the winner, who will work in the London, England, office of Nature starting in Spring 2009. The winner will attend the World Conference of Science Journalists in summer 2009, and will also spend between two to four months in one or more developing countries as a science reporter.

"Nature’s editorial team will provide advice, training and support suited to the award winner’s skills and intentions in order to help him or her get everything possible out of the opportunity," the announcement states. "The intention is that the award will lead to a substantial body of work to be published by Nature. This could include work online, in print, in podcasts or all of the above."

Applicants should be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who has at least three years experience as an English language journalist either in print, the broadcast media or online.

Applicants will be evaluated according to their current abilities and perceived promise; previous work on scientific topics and a proven interest in development issues will be taken into account. Every candidate should provide samples of his or her work, a CV and a covering letter as well as an outline of particular topics he or she would wish to cover in the field – a proposal, as it were. A clear and compelling plan for the use of reporting time will be rated very highly.

Application deadline is February 20. E-mail Oliver Morton, Chief News and Features Editor of Nature, at o.morton@nature.com with "IDRC Nature Award" in the subject line.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada