Applications open for SHERF: A development program for U.S.-based, early-career journalists

The Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Association of Health Care Journalists together are accepting applications for National Science-Health-Environment Reporting Fellowships. Editor’s note: The application deadline has been extended to Dec. 31, 2025. 

The fellowships are designed to support early-career journalists who are pursuing — or have a strong interest in pursuing — careers in science, health or environmental reporting (or all three). Curriculum will include basic science, interpreting medical studies, analyzing data, explaining evidence-based decisions, understanding climate science and more. The program aspires to provide essential on-the-job training that might otherwise take years to accumulate.

Over the course of a year, selected fellows will:

• Participate in workshops and other events held at the annual Environmental Journalism (April 2026), Health Journalism (late May 2026) and ScienceWriters (Fall 2026) conferences.
• Learn from custom webinars scheduled throughout the year for additional opportunities to gain skills, connections and resources to inform their reporting.
• Be matched with a professional mentor.
• Receive prepaid memberships in the National Association of Science Writers, SEJ and AHCJ.
• Participate in peer-to-peer networking platforms.
• Receive project support stipends if they are an independent journalist.

Learn more and apply here.

Questions? Contact Andrea Waner at andrea@healthjournalism.org.

AHCJ hosted an informational webinar on Nov. 21, 2025. Check out the recording below.