This summer, NASW is again offering its virtual summer mentoring program for graduate and undergraduate students. The program is named for longtime science writer and past NASW president David Perlman, who died in 2020 at the age of 101, three years after retiring from the San Francisco Chronicle. David was a mentor to countless members of the science writing community and always made time for kind and supportive words, especially for early career writers.
Student applications are open today through May 23. Students who have demonstrated a serious interest in science writing will be paired with mentors and have the opportunity to write and publish a short science news story or broadcast piece in the NASW Student Newsroom or other media outlet. Students do not have to write a story to participate in the program.
Overview and expectations
During sign up, students will be invited to specify whether they wish to work with a mentor on writing a story for publication in the NASW Student Newsroom or simply meet with a mentor for conversation and advice. Those wishing to write a story must submit a short pitch of approximately 150 words to discuss when meeting with their mentors. Students can review the detailed writing instructions here, as well as resources for how to write a pitch: nasw.org/WritingAssignment.
Students and mentors will get together for a 1-hour kickoff discussion on Wednesday, June 4, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. This event will include a special presentation by invited speakers as well as the chance for mentors and mentees to meet one-on-one. Mentors and students will then exchange contact information and plan for future meetings and communication over the summer. Mentoring, as well as reporting, writing, editing and revising of stories will continue until July 30.
Students: Apply no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific, Friday, May 23, 2025. We aim to pair mentors and students who have similar areas of interest, but matches may not be exact.
All program participants must be members of NASW to be eligible for the program. Please visit nasw.org/join to apply by May 23. We have a special introductory rate for new members (Note that signing up to view content on nasw.org as a guest is not the same as joining NASW). Contact the NASW Education Committee at education@nasw.org if you have questions about membership.
STUDENTS and MENTORS: Learn more about what is expected of you in the program guidelines, which also includes helpful resources.
MENTORS: Mentors will be responsible for submitting the final drafts of their students' stories using the provided link, no later than July 30. Do you want to volunteer as a mentor? You can still sign up by May 23.
Dates to put on your calendar
Mentors and students will meet virtually over the summer for an initial professional development workshop, followed by ongoing one-on-one discussions.
- Wednesday, June 4 at 2 p.m. Eastern: All students and mentors are expected to attend the kickoff session. Please review the NASW guidelines for online meetings. If you are unable to attend this event, please contact us at education@nasw.org.
The final story submission deadline for all participants is Wednesday, July 30. Below are some suggested dates and events to help keep you connected and on track throughout the program. Mentors and students can work together to adjust the dates as necessary, except for the final submission deadline.
- Sciencewriters roundtable — June 5 at 1 p.m. Eastern: Register for the webinar (free)
- First draft — Wednesday, June 25: Email the first draft of your story to your mentor/editor. Include a fact-checking report. See the instructions for your writing assignment for more information.
- Student social hour — Wednesday, July 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern: Students are invited to join a special #SciWriSocial in the NASW Virtual Auditorium. This optional event will be an informal opportunity to meet other students in the program.
- Second draft — Wednesday, July 16: Email your second draft to your mentor/editor, incorporating editing feedback from your first draft, and additional reporting as needed.
- Final draft — Sunday, July 27: Email your final draft to your mentor/editor.
- Final deadline — Wednesday, July 30: This date is not a suggestion. Mentors must submit student stories for publication on the NASW Student Newsroom.
