SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship

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Research shows that localizing climate change impacts and solutions is an effective way to engage new audiences. Yet today, climate journalism is primarily limited to national news outlets. The Solutions Journalism Network and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology jointly offer this SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship to support ambitious, well-researched reporting on climate solutions in local and regional outlets, grounded in a deep understanding of the communities in which these solutions are implemented.

The SJN/MIT Climate Journalism Fellowship will support 10 freelance and staff journalists associated with U.S. local/regional newsrooms in developing high-impact news projects that report on unfolding climate change impacts and solutions in their areas, relating these issues to the concerns and values of their regions and communities. Successful fellowship projects will interrogate how climate change affects issues of high local concern—for example, cost of living, healthcare, energy, housing, agriculture, or weather resilience—while grounding that reporting in local solutions, perspectives, and experiences. 

Over eight months from January-August 2027, selected fellows will report and publish at least four stories focused on climate change impacts and solutions with support from SJN and MIT and participate in training workshops and other peer learning opportunities. Fellows will receive a stipend to support their reporting and participation in all programming. 

Applicants from communities or regions of the United States where climate change is underreported and/or polarizing are strongly encouraged to apply. While a background in climate or environmental reporting is valued, it is not a requirement, and we welcome applicants from other beats and specialties who wish to incorporate climate solutions into their reporting.


As a fellow you will:

  • Receive training and support in framing, researching and writing rigorous stories about climate change solutions using the four pillars of solutions journalism;
  • Have access to MIT’s extensive library databases, socioeconomic climate analyses, and other resources as requested;
  • Engage in one-on-one consultations with a solutions coach and a science journalism specialist, as complements to your newsroom editor(s);
  • Participate in a series of virtual workshops with specialists from SJN, MIT, and partner organizations, to advance your understanding of climate science, climate and energy policy and economics, climate change communication and public opinion, and other relevant topics;
  • Complete SJN’s Train the Trainer program (approx 15 hours over 5 days), making you eligible for SJN training accreditation and opportunities to bring climate solutions journalism training to news outlets and organizations in the future;
  • Attend monthly virtual cohort meetings (attendance is expected);
  • Attend in-person fellowship gathering at the Society of Environmental Journalists’ annual conference in Halifax, Canada, April 15-17 (registration, travel, and hotel rooms will be covered by the fellowship);
  • Collaborate with our partner Public News Service (PNS) in their creation of audio versions of your stories for distribution throughout PNS’s network and republication of the project through MIT; 
  • Meet and learn from other talented journalists from around the country and join a growing network of climate change reporters; 
  • Share your experience and reporting with a broad network of journalists and others through speaking engagements, presentations, etc.; 
  • Receive a stipend of $7,500 to support your reporting (e.g., time, travel, multimedia development, hosting an event).
Requirements
  • Relate climate change and climate solutions to your community’s existing priorities and values;
  • Focus on the newsroom’s home county(ies) or state;
  • Feature lived experience and local perspectives and voices;
  • Produce a minimum of 4 related news stories by August 2027, at least 2 of which apply the principles of solutions journalism;
  • Share what you learn about reporting on solutions with your peers (formally or informally e.g. conference and other presentations, joining peer/alumni discussions, etc.);
  • Demonstrate support and interest from a local/regional news outlet to publish the project;
  • Take part in a follow-up interview six to eight months after the fellowship to reflect on your experience, share what has stayed with you, offer ideas and feedback, and help us understand the fellowship’s impact.
Selection criteria

  • Portfolio demonstrating storytelling skills (two samples with links)

  • A project pitch outlining what climate impact(s) and solution(s) you plan to cover, why, and how, which you will refine, report and publish during the fellowship; we will evaluate this pitch for:

    • Suitability for incorporating solutions journalism into your reporting, as outlined in SJN’s four pillars of solutions journalism

    • Potential for compellingly connecting climate change with local priorities and perspectives

    • Evidence that you can complete the project successfully during the term of the fellowship

  • Commitment to using skills and knowledge gained in this fellowship to pursue further solutions journalism and climate and environmental reporting


Schedule 
  • November 2026: Fellows selected 
  • December 2026: Introductions
  • January 2027: Foundational climate journalism workshops (10 hours)
  • February 2027: Climate Train-the-Trainers (15 hours) 
  • March-August 2027: Ongoing coaching and training opportunities 
  • April 2027: In-person gathering at Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference in Halifax, Canada. 
  • August 2027: All stories produced and published 

How to apply 

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their application by October 26, 2026, at midnight. 

Please have your editor from your supporting newsroom send us an email at climate@solutionsjournalism.org affirming that they have read the requirements for this fellowship and intend to submit a letter of support for your application if you are shortlisted.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the final application stage. Final selections will be made by November 30 and the kick-off meeting will occur the week of December 14. The fellowship will begin in earnest January 2027. 

Join us for an info session on October 14 at 3:30 pm ET. Register here. You can review Frequently Asked Questions here.

For any questions or to discuss project ideas, please contact climate@solutionsjournalism.org If you need technical support with submitting this application, please email kristen@solutionsjournalism.org.

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The Solutions Journalism Network is a 501(c)3 organization. Our policy on our grant funds is that they may only be used for the direct costs of the approved project. No portion of the grant funds be used for overhead costs.


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