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Fellowships

New River Gorge, WV

Thank you for your interest. APPLICATIONS for the 2026-27 Fellowships are now closed.

Purpose

The original purpose of the project was to support communications related to high-profile regional resource initiatives supporting Northeastern National Parks. The program has expanded and now supports a wider variety of resource-related communication needs within the National Park Service. This project is made possible with a grant from the National Park Service through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) program. 

What are the goals of this project?

For more background details about the SCIP program, please visit the Overview page.

What will Fellows be working on?

NPS liaisons have identified priority science topics for SciComm projects.

View project descriptions and SCIP Fellows’ SciComm products here.

Who Should Apply? 

  • Graduate students, recent graduates (post-baccalaureate), postdocs or early career scientists (within 8 years of highest degree)
  • Should have some experience with science communications (beyond scientific conference presentations) and / or science outreach to non-scientists
  • Skills with multimedia formats are especially welcome

Eligibility

  • U.S. citizen or US permanent resident  AND
    • Active ESA membership OR
    • Affiliated with an institution within the CESU network
  • Must be available for cohort meetings between 11 am – 5 pm Eastern Time

Benefits

  • Stipend of $3,000 to be paid in two installments 
  • Professional development in science communication  
  • Monthly check-ins and collaborative product design with peers  
  • Mentoring by project manager who is also a SciComm professional  
  • Access to network of NPS professional personnel and others with indepth perspectives on science in the national parks 
  • Potential travel support to selected NPS sites  

Expectations and Timelines

  • Commitment of 20 hours a month from September 2026 through June 2027
  • Fellows must attend all six SciComm training sessions to be scheduled – 90 mins each.
    • Three-four sessions weekly in September 2026
    • Two-three sessions in January 2027
  • Orientation session in late August 2026
  • First SciComm product due mid-December 2026 
  • Second SciComm product due May 2027
  • Attend 60-minute monthly peer check-ins  (starting October after the first SciComm training series)
  • Meet one-on-one with project manager on product development monthly (after the SciComm training)
  • Interview NPS personnel and/or audience for background understanding and feedback on SciComm products in Fall 2026 

What we ask for in the Application Form

The application form is divided into five sections:

  1. Eligibility – we will screen for eligibility requirements (see above)
  2. Contact information 
  3. Academic and/or professional employment Information
  4. SciComm experience
    • Choice of science topic 
    • Upload one or more samples of a SciComm product you created
      • Samples other than a scientific presentation for a scientific audience are encouraged
      • Do include samples of visual products
    • Statement of Interest
      • Describe your interest in this fellowship
      • Specify how this fellowship would further your educational and/or career goals
      • Summarize your experience thus far in science communications activities
      • Describe your experiences with the specified audiences of the top two science topics (see description)
      • Describe how your participation contributes to or enhances the NPS mission and ESA’s core values
  5. Personal information (to help us monitor our reach)

Choice of Science Topic

Applicants will be asked to select the top two topics of interest offered by NPS for the SciComm products that you will develop as part of the SCIP Fellowship. Based on your selection, ESA will forward your application to the relevant NPS Science liaisons for review. You are only expected to develop products for ONE topic.

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FAQs

1. What types of SciComm products are expected?

Fellows may choose from a variety of formats / media depending on need, such as short videos, infographics, various social media posts, blogs, and in-depth articles. Reports for NPS internal audiences might also requested. Products will also depend on the science projects and audiences involved. See descriptions of science topic priorities here.

2. What support will I receive for product development? 

To support idea development and product design from conception to delivery, you will receive:

  • Six professional development sessions in SciComm techniques
  • A resource toolkit
  • Monthly check-ins with your peers and meetings with SCIP project manager
  • Input from your NPS liaison
  • Feedback from SciComm professionals in the ESA community
  • Access to a network of past SCIP fellows through Slack

3. When will the Fellowship start and end?

The SCIP Fellowship will begin with a kick off meeting expected to take place in the week of August 24, 2026  

The fellowship is expected to end around May-June 2026. A short extension to may be granted to July for all final products to be submitted.  

4. When will stipends be paid? 

Stipends will be paid in two instalments upon delivery of final SciComm products, approved by NPS liaisons, expected in December 2026 and in May 2027. 

5. How will stipends be paid? 

ESA will set up direct deposit payments to your bank account.  

6. Do I have to pay taxes on the stipend? 

Yes, your stipend is considered income and ESA will issue a 1099-MISC. Please note that you are responsible for all tax payments. You will not be considered an ESA employee and ESA will not withhold any taxes on your behalf.