Logan Science Journalism Program opens 2026 applications

Applications are now open for the 2026 Logan Science Journalism Program, hosted by The University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory, a prestigious fellowship that offers experienced science and health journalists the opportunity to immerse themselves in cutting-edge biomedical or environmental research.

Founded in 1986, the Logan Science Journalism Program is designed for journalists who want to deepen their understanding of how science is actually done—from forming research questions to collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. The 10-day program will run from 14 May to 24 May 2026 at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, a globally renowned center for biological research. The application deadline is 15 January 2026.

Selected fellows receive full support, with room, board, course fees, and travel expenses covered, allowing participants to focus entirely on learning and discovery.

Two intensive, hands-on courses

Fellows will choose between two introductory but immersive tracks: the Biomedical Hands-On Research Course or the Environmental Hands-On Research Course. Both are designed to give journalists direct experience with the tools, methods, and mindsets scientists use in the field and in the laboratory.

Biomedical Hands-On Research Course

This course introduces fellows to some of the most influential techniques shaping modern biomedical science, including microbiome research, biological imaging, gene editing, and genetic analysis.

Working closely with scientists at MBL, fellows will collect and analyze real data, with a strong emphasis on hands-on experimentation. The course focuses on two main areas: the human microbiome and gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9 technology.

In the microbiome component, fellows will study the spatial organization of microbes in the human mouth, using advanced imaging tools to compare microbial structures across different oral environments. In the gene editing component, fellows will perform gene editing in an aquatic model organism through microinjection, then use microscopy to observe the resulting changes. Participants will also gain practical experience in DNA sequencing, including DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and analysis of genetic data using public databases.

The course concludes with a mini-symposium where fellows present and interpret their findings, mirroring how scientists share results within the research community. Alongside lab work, fellows will engage in formal and informal discussions with researchers on topics ranging from molecular biology fundamentals to the culture and politics of science.

Environmental Hands-On Research Course

This course centers on one of the most pressing environmental challenges today: how excess nitrogen is reshaping coastal ecosystems.

Fellows will investigate how human-driven changes to the nitrogen cycle (through urban development, fertilizer use, and fossil fuel combustion) affect estuaries, salt marshes, eelgrass habitats, and coastal food webs. Field and laboratory work will take place in Waquoit Bay on Cape Cod, a long-running ecosystem-scale research site where increased nitrogen loading has led to eutrophication and ecological change.

Participants will measure nitrogen inputs to local estuaries, examine how nutrient pollution influences a marsh’s ability to keep pace with sea level rise, and assess impacts on plants and animals within the ecosystem. Fellows will work closely with MBL scientists to analyze samples, interpret results, and present their findings to peers at the end-of-course symposium.

Who can apply

The fellowship is open to professional science and health journalists, writers, editors, and producers with at least five years of experience. While a basic understanding of biological concepts is helpful, extensive prior research experience is not required, and preference is given to applicants without significant laboratory backgrounds.

Applicants must submit an online application for their chosen course (biomedical or environmental) along with supporting materials, including a curriculum vitae, a statement of professional goals, writing or broadcast samples, and references.

Foreign nationals are eligible to apply, though visa and possible tax requirements apply if accepted.

For journalists seeking to strengthen their science reporting by experiencing research firsthand, the Logan Science Journalism Program offers a rare and career-shaping opportunity, one that replaces observation from the sidelines with direct participation at the lab bench and in the field.